Mallard Found With Arrow Stuck Through Neck Ready For Release

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — After a grueling four weeks of recovery, a Mallard Drake found with an arrow from a crossbow lodged through his neck and cheek is getting ready to be released back into the wild, the Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center announced.

The male mallard was originally spotted near a lake in Newport Beach on Saturday, March 25. At the time, the arrow did not keep the bird from flying away and evading capture. The mallard was found the next day at Kaiser Elementary School in Costa Mesa, where he was captured successfully.

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"This horrible and obvious intentional injury was inflicted upon this duck by a human," Executive Director of the WWCC Debbie Mcguire told Patch. "Luckily, the dart did not penetrate the trachea, nor did it fracture any bones."

Luckily, WWCC veterinarians were able to safely remove the arrow from the mallard's neck. The duck underwent two surgeries and was given plenty of pain medication and antibiotics, Mcguire said.

After 29 days in care, the mallard drake is ready to be released thanks to the efforts of the WWCC — notably, the efforts of veterinarian Dr. Elizabeth Wood.

The Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center will release the rehabilitated mallard drake at noon on Friday, April 28 at TeWinkle Park, 970 Arlington Drive. Residents are invited to join the center for its release.

Residents can help the WWCC rehabilitate animals in need across Orange County by donating directly to the nonprofit.