Community Comes Together To Save Domestic Ducks At Wading River Pond

WADING RIVER, NY — A caring community joined forces recently to bring two abandoned domestic ducks to safety.

A post first appeared on the Shoreham/Wading River Community Group Facebook page, which said that two domestic ducks appeared to have been illegally dumped down by the Wading River duck pond.

Dometic ducks lack the instincts to survive in the wild, and many were concerned that they might not last the night.

Katelyn Knapp, who works at the North Fork Animal Welfare League, Southold Town's animal shelter, said she saw the post on the Facebook page and noted that concerned residents were calling rescues.

"I decided to help out," she said. "I stopped by the pond the morning after I saw the post, and the ducks were right where the comments on the post said they would be. I walked right up to them; they were clearly used to being around people. The one I got let me pick it right up. The second one, I think, got nervous, so it ended up in the pond where I couldn’t reach it," she said. "I had plans to go after work, so I could plan to be better equipped to retrieve it."

A few hours later, she received a phone call from John Di Leonardo, president of Humane Long Island, an animal advocacy organization. "He called to let me know he was able to catch the second duck and had already found a foster home for the two of them."

Di Leonardo described the rescue on his Humane Long Island Facebook page. "The two abandoned Pekins in Wading River are safe with Humane Long Island's Duck Defenders program," he wrote.

He thanked Knapp for securing the male while his organization secured the female. He also thanked Virginia Scudder of North Fork Country Kids:Rescue and Preservation Through Pedagogy for fostering them in Aquebogue.

"With untreated bumblefoot infection on their feet and wounds throughout their bodies, these ducks are in rough shape and will need to see the vet as well as receive extensive rehabilitation. They will then be up for adoption," Di Leonardo said.

Knapp reflected on the experience. "I was more than happy to help," she said. "There is a misconception that Pekins can live out in the wild — but this is not true. There are predators such as raccoons and fox that are a big threat to ducks, such as Pekins. This specific breed of duck is unable to fly, so therefor cannot quickly escape a predator attack. It was a great experience being able to work with the community to make sure the two ducks were safe."

She added: "It was nice to see everyone come together for the well-being of these animals."

Speaking with Patch, Di Leonardo agreed: "It's phenomenal to be able to save a life," he said. "As always, we tell people inspired by a rescue that they can rescue 200 animals every year by leaving animals off their plates."

As for the Pekins, Di Leonardo said the ducks were bred for the farming industry "to be enormous. They had weak immune systems and were not able to fly. They were literally sitting ducks for predators."

The ducks, he added, will have a long recovery period, found with wounds from prior neglect. "Once they're rehabbed, they'll be adopted into a loving home where they will be protected and never eaten," he said.

He's rescued many ducks from the Wading River pond, Di Leonardo said — but this experience was decidedly different.

"This is the first time we've seen the community so concerned about it," he said. "It was refreshing and nice to see the evolving views. In the past, people didn't know how to recognize domestic ducks. This time, everyone sounded the alarm. It makes me feel good — the education seems to be working."

On another note, Di Leonardo reminded that those coming to enjoy the ducks at the pond should not feed them bread. Feeding bread to ducks causes "angel wing," a deformity of the wing where the flight feathers twist at the joint, so they can't fly or migrate.

For those hoping to feed the ducks, Di Leonardo suggested Mazuri Waterfowl Maintenance Duck & Geese Food, which promotes longevity of life.

However, while he said it's fine to feed adult ducks, it's best not to feed babies, who should be learning how to forage naturally from their parents, as the best nutrition for the ducks can be found in the environment.