A volunteer wildlife protection and rescue group has been left “devastated” after a group of domesticated ducks were dumped in a Hull park and left to fend for themselves.
By the time rescue was on its way, one of the ducks had sadly perished in Peter Pan Park, Pickering Road. Another has a serious injury to its neck.
Charlotte Smith, an organiser at Hull Wildlife Protectors, said that, sadly, it was not the first time such an incident had occurred and urged people not to discard defenceless animals and instead to ask for help. She also urged people to report instances of wildlife crime to the police.
Hull Wildlife Protectors picked up a message about the “heart-breaking situation”, left at around midnight on Saturday, on Sunday morning. In a post on its Facebook page, the group said: “A group of ducks had been left in a park, their wings clipped making them unable to fend for themselves and escape danger.
“Tragically, a group of boys were seen throwing ice, sticks, and stones at the defenceless animals. One duck was even captured by the youths.
Peter Pan Park in Hull was ‘absolutely freezing’ when domesticated ducks were abandoned to their fate there
(Image: Hull Wildlife Protectors)
“Thankfully, a compassionate boy witnessed the cruelty, ran home to tell his father, who immediately confronted the boys and ordered them to stop. This morning [Sunday], we were devastated to find that one of the ducks had not survived the night.”
The group’s volunteers sprang into action, quickly organising a rescue effort, reaching out to Ren’s Wildlife Hospital, in Holderness, for a safe place for the ducks. Because of the dangers presented by the iced-over lake, Humber Fire and Rescue was called on for help and the police were also alerted.
The ducks were carefully guided off the frozen lake to safety, to the care of volunteers who were able to secure them and transport them on the wildlife hospital. “One of the ducks is badly injured, with a wound to their neck,” Charlotte said, “and the ducks are showing signs of respiratory problems.
“Whether the third one died as a result of being harmed, we don’t know, but it won’t have helped being left in a park when it was absolutely freezing. We’ve had this issue before, with domesticated white ducks released onto Beverley Beck.
“Domestic ducks are not like wild ducks, they don’t have the same instincts and don’t know how to find food or fend for themselves.”
Hull Wildlife Protectors has asked people to support Ren’s through donations, which will help with the ducks’ recovery and rehabilitation, and aid Ren’s vital work. The group’s post continued: “This tragedy serves as a painful reminder of the dangers of abandoning animals, especially those who are vulnerable.
“The third duck’s death is a stark example of the consequences of cruelty and neglect. We urge everyone to remember that animals deserve compassion and care, and there is always help available for those in need.
“We want to extend our deepest thanks to Humberside Fire & Rescue Service for their compassionate response and quick actions. We are also incredibly grateful to the concerned man and his son, whose courage and kindness prevented an even worse outcome. Without them, all three ducks would have perished.”
A log of the incident by Humberside Fire and Rescue said they had been called at 10.19am on Sunday, January 12, to Pickering Road, in Hull. The report said two ducks were rescued from an island, with water rescue equipment in use, and left in the care of animal welfare volunteers.
As part of its cold weather advice, Humberside Fire and Rescue discourages anyone from venturing out onto frozen water. It said: “Lakes, ponds and certain stretches of rivers may look as if they will support the weight of people or animals, but sadly that is not always the case.
“The added hazards are the slippy banks and the ice cold temperature of the water should an incident occur.” There are more tips on safety on the service’s website.
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