Fish and Game ask hunters to kill lots of black swans

Fish and Game New Zealand wants hunters to target black swans when the new gamebird hunting season opens tomorrow

Fish and Game Eastern Region is encouraging hunters to kill black swans on Rotorua lakes this season. It estimates there are 2000.

The swans have been blamed for adding to harmful nutrients polluting Rotorua's lakes .

Fish and Game regional manager Steve Smith said the swans' contribution to poor lake health had been "overstated" and paled in comparison to other sources of harmful nutrients.

But he was aware some people wanted to see the population reduced and hunters were free to shoot as many as they liked at the lakes.

Hunters should be particularly careful about safety measures because the lakes were popular recreation spots, Mr Smith said.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)