02/17/05 ~ Statement issued by Carolina Waterfowl Rescue
Recent media attention has been drawn to the situation at Freedom Park.
We would like to explain why we are here and why we decided to participate.
While reviewing the plan for the wild Canada Geese at Freedom Park it came to
our attention that domestic ducks were also at the park. The white (domestic)
Pekin ducks cannot fly distances. When the fog and laser program begins for
scaring the geese this will also scare the ducks. While the geese and wild mallards
are able to fly away and find other suitable homes the domestic ducks cannot.
This would be a terrifying situation for them.
The chemicals they plan to spray on the grass will ruin the only good source
of food supply for the ducks. The no-feeding ban will remove the only bad source
of food for the ducks. Right now they are dependent on people who come to the
park with scraps of bread, crackers, chips - all of which are very poor sources
of nutrition.
We also receive many calls each year to pick up injured ducks at Freedom Park.
A large percentage of the ducks from the park had injuries caused directly by
humans. While most people love and care for the ducks, many do not.
After spending some time at the park observing the water, I realized most of
the ducks have serious health issues. Muscovy Ducks, for instance, do not tolerate
cold well and at least three I observed had signs of frostbite on the carnicles
(face bumps) and on their foot webbing. Several of the ducks have bone infections
in their feet and/or staph infections in the pads of feet. These are conditions
that require immediate medical treatment with antibiotics. These animals are
domestic and should be provided food, water, shelter on a daily basis and veterinary
care as needed. None of which they receive at the park.
We do commend the city on taking non-lethal actions towards the geese. They
are making a valiant effort at approaching this without causing any harm to
the animals. Here at Carolina Waterfowl Rescue our only concern is the welfare
of the waterfowl. We offered to assist in order to ensure the removal of the
ducks was done by experienced people and with as little stress to the ducks
as possible.
We want to educate people that not all parks make good homes for the ducks.
We have taken on the responsibility of finding homes for the domestic ducks
that will be removed from the park.
Our purpose in attending the press event was to gain support for our organization
and to try and solicit homes for the remaining un-adopted ducks. Anyone with
a pond interested in adopting some ducks may contact us at (704) 668-9486 or
via the web at www.carolinawaterfowlrescue.com.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Gordon, Director
Carolina Waterfowl Rescue