Darwin news: Nesting plover struck by thugs outside NT News office on NYE

‘He had no hesitation, he just lined it up’: A ‘cowardly’ attack on native wildlife outside the NT News office has left witnesses and the newsroom reeling. Warning: Distressing video.

A “disgusting” and “cowardly” attack on native wildlife outside the NT News office has left witnesses and the newsroom shocked and angry.

CCTV footage captured the appalling attack, which occurred during the final hours December 31, 2024.

Four men were seen walking through the NT News carpark on Printers Place about 6.45pm when one picked up an orange plastic bollard that had been placed in the carpark.

The man then struck the native plover with the bollard.

The footage also showed another man in the group filming the attack on his phone.

Witnesses enjoying a NYE champagne from their nearby balcony were shocked by the attack. Picture: NT News

Thankfully, the bird survived the ordeal and was seen in the days after the attack.

A witness who lived nearby told this masthead she did not expect the man to actually attack the bird, but took to shouting expletives at the group soon after he “took a swing”.

“He had no hesitation, he just lined it up,” she said.

“It’s an absolutely cowardly thing to do.

“It took me a while to get over there because I was upset and angry, but I went and checked to make sure the bird was okay.

“I went down but [the group] had run off down to the Waterfront, and by the time I got down there it was all sectioned off, and I couldn’t catch them.”

The plover was seen walking around on January 3 — four days after the assault. Picture: NT News

The woman’s husband said he had sat down to enjoy some New Year’s Eve champagne with his wife when he heard her ask “what the f--k are they doing?”

“I was screaming at them; my wife was too,” he said.

“I shouted at those c---s ‘Come over here then you f---ers’, but they looked up and ran off.”

The attack was labelled “abhorrent” by a spokesperson from the department that represents Parks and Wildlife NT.

“Any form of animal cruelty is abhorrent and will not be tolerated,” the spokesperson said.

“There are penalties of up to $92,500 or 5 years imprisonment for acts of cruelty towards animals in the Northern Territory, including our native wildlife.”

Journalists from this masthead reported the attack through https://nt.gov.au/environment/animals/report-a-wildlife-crime.

Reports can also be made by calling 1300 720 386.

Originally published as Darwin news: Nesting plover struck by thugs outside NT News office on NYE