Hunting practices along the Leitha call for our engagement. Every year hunters around Nickelsdorf and Zwirndorf, in the district of Neusiedl am See, release thousands of bred ducks. This effort only serves to increase the hunting quota.

These so called high-breeding muscovy ducks originate from Hungary. They are brought to the Leitha in closed cages. That's where they are high-bred and fattened. They are released two weeks before the start of the hunting season only. Near Nickelsdorf, under the Leitha-bridge, animal excrements from the enclosures get into the river. These events are neither in the interests of nature conservation nor in those of the water sports enthusiasts commonly encountered in this area.

In Burgenland, by law, this mixed population of house ducks and mallards is protected against hunting all the year long. However, the hunters claim everything complied with the rules, and their practices were allowed. The hunting law would support the release of animals to be hunted. Again and again, as created by magic, nets, stretched over the whole river, appear. Thus it's impossible for the ducks to move freely. By this limiting their habitat, the animals show less fear and escape behavior towards humans. Also, the ability to fly, compared to their wild ancestors, deteriorates. These waterfowl live on a few square meters without access to the open water for most of their lives.

This hunt is neither up-to-date nor ethical. There are much better, ecological and animal-friendly alternatives.