Following today’s previous press release in which it was reported that gunshots had been fired by a person who witnesses described as appearing to be a bathurst worker in high vis carrying a shotgun, Climate Liberation Aotearoa (CLA) has been informed by West Coast Police that the item in question was a bird scarer that looks and sounds like a shotgun.

When asked, the officer in charge explained that the firing of a bird scarer was not a risk to life. It was also not deemed to be threatening behaviour, in part due to the complaints coming from those engaged in illegal activity.  

Police explained that the device was confirmed to be legally acquired, and legally used but declined to describe the make of the device, advising instead “you can google it”.

When CLA researchers looked online for a bird scarer matching the description that protesters witnessed, the only result matching was a bird scaring shell that can be used with a shot gun [1].

Today in addition to gunshot sounds throughout this morning, helicopters have again flown near the protesters circling them. It is not understood why this is.  

Yesterday, on the topic of written threats made by Bathurst staff, CEO Richard Tacon was quoted as saying “We certainly don't use threats and innuendo to try to get where we want to be, so you know I do not condone it.”

CLA has contacted Bathurst resources for comment on the actions taken by employees and are awaiting a reply.

[1] http://www.therocketman.co.nz/products/cartridges

© Scoop Media