A video showing Donald Trump Jr. sitting in hunting gear beside a dead protected bird has sparked outrage among Italian lawmakers, who are demanding answers. The bird was identified as a ruddy shelduck, which is protected in some Buddhist countries due to its color resembling monk’s robes.
Italian lawmakers accuse Mr. Trump of violating environmental laws by shooting the duck in Venice’s lagoon without proper permits. They claim it is “morally despicable” and a crime, citing Italian law that allows for up to eight months in jail or fines of over $2,000 for killing protected birds.
Environmental activists have been monitoring the situation, with one lawmaker filing an official query to the Veneto region’s president and others submitting statements to the justice minister, foreign minister, and environment minister. The incident has sparked a heated debate about celebrity hunting and environmental protection in Italy.
This is not the first time Mr. Trump has faced criticism for his hunting activities, including a previous incident in Zimbabwe where he was photographed holding an elephant’s bloody tail. The controversy surrounding his son’s actions has raised questions about the relationship between the Italian government and the US administration.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/04/world/europe/donald-trump-jr-duck-hunting-italy.html