Grrrr! The nerve of some people!!!

[desertdarlene]

At the lake I usually go to, we have kids who throw rocks at the ducks, I think they even do that to ducklings, too. Someone told them they could get a huge fine for doing that (most of the ducks are wild ducks that are protected). I worry about some of the wildlife there because a lot of them have babies that can easily be caught by humans. It's bad enough they have to deal with natural predators, but people, too.

I don't think people realize that pet ducks that are released into the wild have a very hard time even if they're regularly fed. They usually don't know how to socialze properly, can spread disease to wild ducks, and are very vulnerable to predators. Babies can die of hypothermia or get eaten by large fish or other predators. I personally know people who say "oh, I let my duck out at the lake and he fit right in". It's better to take them to the humane society or duck protection society as I think they have a better chance.

 

[Keens2050]

The scary part is - these juvenile delinquents will be in charge of our government and our nursing homes when we are senior citizens!

 

[percyj]

Exactly!!!!! I would take the duvky home but it's a deep river and she's not people friendly. I'm gonna call the district office. Maybe I'll post some pics of her soon.

 

[FenDruadin]

Quote:
Naw. Most likely they'll be incarcerated or on parole. Except those who clean up, which is hard to do when you start life in a home that doesn't respect life, but it can be done.

Now the otherwise-decent guys with their pants halfway to their ankles--yeah, some of them will be in charge of the country when we're in nursing homes. More power to 'em. Like us with the big hair and the leg warmers, they'll learn the error of their fashion ways soon enough.

 

[percyj]

Don't knock all kids! On a good day you'll find me wearing a comfy top and some gauchos. On a normal day, Jean shorts and a plain sports tee. Not all of us dress like were going to an L.A lady gaga concert.

 

[FenDruadin]

Oh, percyj, I would never group you with the pants-around-the-ankles crowd! lol Despite my grouchy ways, I'm actually quite fond of teenagers (good ones) and I'm not so old that I don't in fact remember being one once upon a time. I just like to remember that even the teenagers whose fashion style doesn't agree with my own aren't necessarily bad either.

 

[GrumpyOldMan]

Quote:
They think its fun. And after all its just kids being kids. MORONS raising MORONS.

 

[percyj]

Thanks for the answers all!!! Do you guys have any stories about dumped ducks, or something?

 

[desertdarlene]

Quote:
At the two public lakes I usually go to, dumping is very common. At one lake, the ducks and geese there are mostly domestic. I think the lake staff allow some people to drop unwanted pet waterfowl there (it would be hard to sneak one in there without staff noticing) or some of the staff take them in at their residences and bring them there eventually.

At the other lake, people sneak in at night and drop them off near the entrance. So, in the morning you might see a new duck now and then. There are people who regularly look out for the ducks and geese and if they see any of them look like they would be in danger, they take them to the humane society. Others that look like they are going to do OK are monitored for any problems. Some of the former pets do OK, especially ones that know how to behave better, socially. Those that can socialize well with the wild ducks learn how to take cues about danger and predators better. Those that don't fit in live on the fringes of the group and often get their tail feathers pulled out and are more prone to being attacked by either the other ducks/geese or predators.

**I wanted to add that some kids can make you proud when it comes to wildlife. I came across a mom and two children who were aware of a killdeer nest in a very public area. They left it alone and were rewarded with seeing some cute little killdeer chicks running around. I believe at least one, possibly two of those chicks made it to flying age. Another kid might have stolen the eggs as they were easily accessible, but these two young ladies respected the birds and I am truly grateful for that.

 

[treldib]

Was this Black Swedish, by chance a Pekin/Mallard Hybrid? Apparently that cross can produce ducks that look exactly like a Black Swede...


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