URGENT ACTION NEEDED

There was a report on Adelaide radio this morning that the Belaire Park Country Club has hired a shooter to kill wood ducks. 

Laurie (Coalition Against Duck Shooting) has just spoken to Ron, one of the CEOs at the Country Club (who is nervous and aggressive and wouldn't supply his last name). 37 wood ducks have been shot in one day and they intend to continue shooting.  The CEO says they have obtained a permit from the South Australian Government, but we say shooting permits are issued too easily and not enough consideration is given to non-lethal alternatives.

This is totally unnecessary and unacceptable.  There are non-lethal alternatives and these days most golf clubs live happily with their wildlife.

We need hundreds of emails going to golf@belairparkgolfcourse.com.au and info@belairparkcountryclub.com.au and people phoning Ron, or anyone in management on 08 8278 7534 - and keeping it up for the next two weeks - ringing and/or emailing every day.  

Please also cc your email to Allan Holmes, CEO of SA Dept. of Environment and Heritage holmes.allan@saugov.sa.gov.au

People should not be abusive, but rather point out that there are non-lethal alternatives such as rubber snakes, dogs being walked on leads, radio controlled model planes, etc. which will deter the birds and that the shooting of native waterbirds is not acceptable.  Most golfers don't like wildlife being shot and are outraged to learn this is taking place.

Waterbird numbers across eastern Australia over the last 25 years has decreased a staggering 82%.  This is caused mainly by drought and climate change.  The sad state of the Coorong in South Australia, once a major waterbird breeding area, is a prime example.

The Club has used a supposedly non-lethal chemical in the past that kept the birds off, but they say they can't aford to use it any longer.

Thanks,