More on the Wandering Albatross that was shot recently off the coast of
Sydney, Australia.
A story appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald on Wed 17Sept1997 - no page
number, with a photograph of the dead bird at Taronga Zoo.
Paraphrasing the article, it seems the bird was found by a gp of seabird
watchers, including 6 japanese visitors. The bird was alive when found but
died shortly after.
The bird group allege that the bird was shot from one of two long-line
vessels nearby.
The carcass was collected and taken to Taronga Zoo (Sydney) for autopsy,
where pellets were removed from the leg. It is reported that the bird was
shot while flying and had died from blood loss and shock.
Lindsay Smith (president of Southern Ocean Seabird Study Association) was
interviewed for the story and he is reported as saying that the shooting of
albatrosses, petrels and other seabirds was commonplace by fishermen.
The incident is being investigated by New South Wales National Parks Service.
It seems we have a long way to go....
Anyone have any more details?
Eric.
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Dr Eric J Woehler
Australian Antarctic Division
Channel Highway,
Kingston TASMANIA AUSTRALIA 7050
ph (03) 6223 1980 (h)
(03) 6232 3209 (w)
fax (03) 6232 3351 (w)
+613 6232 3351 (w)
email>
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