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October 4, 2009
Look Out... I Mean, Duck!
Our location in Gerry Park is mostly a blessing, but sometimes a curse. When we have difficulty leaving the parking lot on a snowy day, it's a curse. When we look out the window and admire the beauty around us, it's a blessing. Dealing with abandoned ducks falls into the curse category.
Upon arriving at work this morning, I was faced with a pile of notes left by yesterday's library crew. It was amazing to see that on a busy Saturday, the librarians took the time to call more than 10 different places to try to "rehome" the abandoned, aggressive ducks in our parking lot. Some of these places included Volunteers for Wildlife, Department of Wildlife, Department of Environmental Conservation, US Fish and Wildlife, Animal Control, two different people who do rehab, and the 6th Precinct. The wildlife organizations wouldn't help because... (wait for it...) these are Muscovy, domesticated ducks. They are not "wild" ducks. I'd love to know the difference. The police said that they couldn't help us contain them, but suggested putting up a "dangerous duck crossing" sign! Another rescue organization suggested spraying them with a strong stream of water. And, yet another person said, 'how aggressive could they be? no one's ever been killed by a duck before!' Tell that to the people that were chased and bitten by the ducks yesterday! At the end of the day, the ducks are still here.
These poor ducks have been abandoned in a strange place. The other ducks won't let them anywhere near the pond, and they've become quite aggressive. This is not the first time we've had a 'duck issue,' and I'm quite sure it won't be the last. Of all of the things we have to deal with 'on the job,' this is the oddest. I wish that people would find a humane way to deal with their unwanted animals. Abandonment is not the answer.
Posted by Michele at October 4, 2009 1:46 PM
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