Endangered
They shot our birds! Five Norwegian men came to New Zealand on a hunting trip. I've never really understood why men enjoy killing defenceless animals - a bit sick really in this supposedly enlightened age. But anyway, that's not what I want to talk about. What makes me mad is that they killed some of our protected endangered birds, specifically the Kereru (wood pigeon). How brave of them, to shoot a fat, slow-flying bird which wouldn't have been afraid of them. Heap big hunters.
Watch the video these idiots posted on YouTube - now that was bright, wasn't it! Be warned: it contains content that may disturb.
Now, the disappearance of the kereru would be a disaster for the regeneration of our native forests. Plus it's a beautiful bird, with irridescent green and bronze feathers on its head and a smart white vest. Our Department of Conservation want to prosecute them. Apparently the Norwegian authorities are also not too thrilled about what they did and are talking about prosecuting them themselves for killing endangered wildlife. I hope they do. If they are prosecuted in New Zealand, the maximum penalty is a fine of $100,000 and up to a year in the slammer. In Norway, they can get up to six years. Go for it Norway!!
Protected species are protected for a reason. They are endangered. You just don't go off killing animals in another country without first checking out the rules. And you don't brag about taking an animal's life. If you really have to hunt, you should do it with respect.
I also have an issue with where they got the guns from. Did they have a licence? Did they get told the rules? Did they shoot them knowing they are on the endangered list? Did they bother to find out for themselves what they weren't allowed to shoot? We need to so a better job of educating tourists that come here to hunt.
No doubt all will be revealed in the court case - and there will be one - whether it is held in Norway or New Zealand.