Donald Trump Jr accused of killing protected bird in Italy
What's the story
Donald Trump Jr, the eldest son of United States President Donald Trump, has been accused of killing a protected bird species in Italy. The allegations were leveled by Andrea Zanoni, a regional councilor in Veneto, who posted a video showing Trump Jr with a ruddy shelduck. The species is protected under the European Union (EU) birds directive as well as Italian law.
Controversial footage
Video shows Trump Jr with protected bird
The video, published by Field Ethos—an outdoor lifestyle publication co-founded by Trump Jr—shows him shooting ducks from a foxhole. In one clip, he is seen pointing to a distinctive rusty orange duck among other waterfowl, calling it "a rather uncommon duck for the area." The ruddy shelduck, or Brahminy duck in India, is a migratory species that winters in South Asia and breeds in southeast Europe.
Legal scrutiny
Zanoni questions Trump Jr's hunting rights in Italy
Zanoni has questioned Trump Jr's right to hunt in Italy as a non-resident. Massimo Buconi, president of the Italian Hunting Federation, confirmed that while foreigners are allowed to hunt in Italy, the bird shown in the video is indeed protected. "At a glance, it looks like a ruddy shelduck," Buconi said. Zanoni claimed the video was filmed near Venice in a conservation area and sought information from regional authorities about potential sanctions against those involved.
Escalation
Issue escalated to Italy's environment ministry
Luana Zanella, a Green member of the national parliament, has taken the issue to Italy's environment ministry. Zanoni has not made any comments since then. According to Italian media reports, Trump Jr visited Venice in December with his girlfriend. An avid trophy hunter, he was granted an Alaskan grizzly bear hunting permit in 2020.