ROME, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of U.S. President Donald Trump, reportedly violated Italian and European Union environmental protection laws while hunting ducks near Venice in December, according to two Italian Green party lawmakers.
Andrea Zanoni, a member of the Veneto regional assembly, and Luana Zanella, a national parliamentarian, have raised concerns through separate parliamentary inquiries, calling for regional and national authorities to address the alleged transgression.
Zanoni highlighted in a Facebook post that he had viewed footage of Trump Jr. hunting within a "Natura 2000" EU conservation zone in the Venice lagoon, standing beside a deceased ruddy shelduck, a species protected under EU directives and Italian wildlife protection laws.
The video depicts Trump Jr. alongside a ruddy shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea), a duck rare across Europe and safeguarded by the EU Birds Directive and Italian wildlife protection laws... Killing or possessing this bird is punishable by law, Zanoni asserted.
Although hunting is permitted in Italy, it is strictly regulated.
In the approximately 6-minute video referenced by Zanoni, Trump Jr. is shown on a duck hunting expedition in marshlands near Venice, organized by Field Ethos, an outdoor activities brand he co-founded.
Trump Jr. mentions capturing numerous wigeon and teal ducks in the video before acknowledging shooting a rather uncommon duck for the area while expressing uncertainty about its English name, ultimately describing the experience as an incredible shoot.
Responding to the allegations, Andy Surabian, a spokesperson for Trump Jr., stated that all members of the hunting party possessed valid permits, were engaged in lawful hunting activities within authorized areas, and that the circumstances surrounding the duck in question were unclear. Surabian emphasized Trump Jr.'s commitment to complying with hunting regulations and conservation efforts, pledging full cooperation with any inquiries.
An audio narration in the Field Ethos video clarifies that the hunting excursion occurred on private property, with hunting limited to once a week and precautions taken to preserve the local environment.
While the precise date of the video was unspecified, a truncated version was uploaded on YouTube by Field Ethos on December 31, 2024. Reports from Italian media indicated that Trump Jr. was present in Venice that same month with his girlfriend.
Environment Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, as cited by ANSA news agency, mentioned that he awaits further details on the alleged incident following its circulation in the press.