ANIMAL activists today called on the public to rebel against a dawn cull of ducks at two Scots lochs.

They branded the planned shooting of North American Ruddy Ducks "a brutal and ugly killing project".

North Lanarkshire Council has given its support to the "international conservation action", which is designed to secure the survival of the globally-threatened White-Headed Duck.

The Ruddy Duck was introduced to the UK in the 1950s by wildfowl collectors, but escaped birds have created a wild population of 3000 in the UK.

Council chiefs say cross-breeding poses a "significant threat" to rare White-Headed Ducks at Garnqueen Loch in Glenboig, and Woodend Loch at Drumpellier Country Park, and have granted permission for the cull.

But Andrew Taylor, of Animal Aid, said: "I'd urge the people of North Lanarkshire to rebel against this decision. It's a bloody cull in their name. It's fascist, unscientific and hugely expensive."

The cull will be carried out at first light by staff from the Central Science Laboratory on an undetermined date.

Just under 1900 Ruddy Ducks were culled in the UK between September 2006 and March this year.

But it's estimated there are fewer than 100 in North Lanarkshire - and only a small percentage are breeding pairs.

A five-year programme to eradicate the species in the UK was announced in Parliament in 2005.

Paul Jukes, North Lanarkshire's executive director of environmental services, said: "The council has thoroughly investigated the matter over several months.

"We have reached a unanimous conclusion we have a duty to support this action and help to secure the future of the threatened species."

A spokesman for the SSPCA said: "We are opposed to the culling of any wild animal."