Letter: Senseless slaughter

Sir: Is Animal Aid the only voice raised in protest at the plan to shoot Britain's ruddy duck population to stop them hybridising the white-headed duck (report, 2 February)?

When this senseless slaughter was first suggested, 18 months ago, I contacted the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, telling them that I had not joined them for the society to practice marriage guidance for birds. I received letters of explanation and excuses, none saying anything other than that the white-headed duck, in Spain, was threatened, because the ruddy duck, resident in Britain, flew over there to mate with it. So what? Ethnic cleansing and racist outcry by the very society that is supposed to protect all birds.

Am I the only one who has cancelled her membership to the RSPB? Will no one else help to prevent the slaughter of 4,000 healthy, beautiful duck?

ANNE JONES

Seaford, East Sussex