Story: Marine conservation

This display at the Canterbury Museum features stuffed gulls and spotted shags. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries most seabirds were unprotected and could be shot. Bird collecting was popular, and species were collected to supply museums. A culture of hunting for sport was also prevalent among British settlers, and some seabirds such as godwits were considered ‘native game’ as they were a challenge to shoot.