Hunter fined for shooting swans

A Canterbury hunter has been fined $8500 for shooting two rare and protected white swans.

David Duncan Bates, 48, of Motukarara, south of Christchurch, shot the birds in the Rakaia district on the opening day of duck hunting season, The Press reported.

Fish & Game said there were only about 100 white swans left in the wild in New Zealand, mainly in Canterbury and Hawke's Bay, and they had "absolutely protected" status.

Christchurch District Court Judge Raoul Neave accepted Bates had shot the swans in ignorance and was "absolutely horrified" when he learned how serious his actions were.

Judge Neave said the starting point for the fine was $20,000, but that was reduced because of circumstances including a clean 35-year hunting record.

Bates, who part-owns a salmon hatchery, also donated $2000 towards a brown teal duck breeding programme and had investigated whether it was possible to import swan eggs to "fix the problem".

- NZPA