A controversial hunting excursion in Venice, Italy has placed Donald Trump Jr at the center of environmental activists' outrage.

According to Daily Mail, the former president's eldest son is pushing back against accusations from Italian environmentalists who claim he illegally shot and killed a protected Ruddy Shelduck during a December hunting trip.

Field Ethos, Trump Jr's own publication, released a video before Christmas showing him surrounded by several dead ducks, including an unusual amber-colored bird that caught his attention. In the footage, Trump Jr acknowledges the rarity of the specimen, stating he was unsure of its identity.

Hunt participants defend against unlawful killing claims

Eight hunters participated in the controversial excursion, making it difficult to determine who specifically shot the protected bird. A member of the hunting party explained that multiple hunters typically shoot simultaneously when ducks approach their decoys, creating uncertainty about individual responsibility.

Andy Surabian, Trump Jr's spokesman, emphasized that the group possessed proper permits and hunted in legally permitted areas. He confirmed their willingness to cooperate with any investigation while maintaining that multiple hunting groups were active in the vicinity during the incident.

A former U.S. game warden who joined the Venice hunt provided context about potential consequences, noting that proving responsibility would be essential before any action could be taken. If guilt were established through investigation, the penalty would likely range between $250 and $1,000.

Protected status raises questions about incident severity

The International Union for Conservation of Nature classified the Ruddy Shelduck as a threatened species in 2016. However, the bird falls under their lowest protection category of "least concern."

An Italian safari organizer expressed surprise at seeing the duck in the video, explaining that the species typically inhabits northern Africa. While protected due to its limited European presence, the organizer noted that the population itself is not declining.

From Trump Jr's spokesman Andy Surabian:

While it's unclear whether this single duck was unintentionally shot by someone in Don's hunting group, another hunting group or killed in a different manner and retrieved by the groups hunting dog, Don takes following all rules, regulations and conservation on his hunts very seriously and plans on fully cooperating with any investigation

Italian officials demand investigation into hunting incident

Italian environmentalist and Green party politician Andrea Zanoni accused Trump Jr of multiple legal violations. His allegations include hunting without proper licensing and conducting activities in a European Union-protected conservation area.

Zanoni filed a formal complaint, asserting that foreign visitors are not permitted to hunt in Italy without residency-based documentation. The complaint emphasizes that hunting licenses are exclusively issued to residents of Italian regions.

Green party member of parliament Luana Zanella has elevated the matter to Italy's Environment Ministry, requesting clarification about the incident and Trump Jr's involvement in potentially illegal activities.

Local expertise suggests unintentional protected species kill

A professional Italian hunting outfitter who operates one of the country's largest hunting operations believes the protected duck was likely shot accidentally. The outfitter emphasized the difficulty of identifying specific shooters during group hunts.

The hunting expert clarified that even if responsibility could be proven, the violation would incur minimal penalties under current legislation. This assessment aligns with statements from others familiar with hunting regulations and enforcement.

Video footage posted by Field Ethos shows Trump Jr dressed in camouflage, emerging from a foxhole to shoot at ducks in the Venetian lagoon. The six-minute recording captures multiple birds being shot down during the expedition.

Looking ahead at a potential resolution

Donald Trump Jr's Venice hunting controversy centers on the death of a protected Ruddy Shelduck during a December 2024 expedition.

The incident has sparked debate between hunting advocates and environmental activists about responsibility and regulatory compliance.

Italian authorities are reviewing complaints about potential violations while Trump Jr's team maintains their adherence to local hunting regulations. The outcome may hinge on determining individual responsibility within the eight-person hunting party and clarifying the exact circumstances of the protected bird's death.