Vets were forced to euthanise a teal that had been felled by a bullet on the first day of the game hunting season on Saturday, March 17, in Lake Cullen Wildlife Reserve.

This video shows the two vets assessing a teal which has been shot, before concluding that the severity of its injuries mean it cannot be rehabilitated.

They were working on behalf of the Coalition Against Duck Shooting, which has opposed hunting in the region for decades. The organisation argues it threatens protected species also living in the wetlands, and dangerously lowers bird numbers generally, the ABC has reported.

The Bendigo Advertiser reported drones had been deployed by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning for the first time to monitor the behaviour of both hunters and activists as the season began. Credit: Coalition Against Duck Shooting via Storyful