Help with loss of duck in our lake

[lakeduck]

We just found one of a pair of ducks that has swam together in our neighborhood lake dead this morning. They have been together for at least 5 years. The mate is just swimming around quacking. It is heartbreaking!! I don't know who brought them to our lake originally. Does anyone know the best way to help the lone survivor? Should we purchase a new duck? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Have you been able to examine the body to see if there was foul play[no pun intended] Thats very sad. do you know if they are domesticated or wild ducks? you could try to introduce another duck, do you know if they were really a pair or just 2 really close buds? And

 

[RubberDuckee]

That is so sad! What kind of ducks are they?

 

[duckyfromoz]

If they have been there so long it could just be age that caught up to the duck- if thats the case replacing it with another will mean that eventually the older will also die - perpetually leaving one duck on its own every few years. While it may be lonely- it leaving other ducks at the lake isnt really a good solution either. They generally dont have as long a life as these two do with predators and poor diets.
Most likely the people that dumped those ducks years ago never think of them anymore ( if they are domestic ) - And if they are wild ducks- the lone one should be able to fly off to find a new mate.

 

[Miss Lydia]

If they have been there so long it could just be age that caught up to the duck- if thats the case replacing it with another will mean that eventually the older will also die - perpetually leaving one duck on its own every few years. While it may be lonely- it leaving other ducks at the lake isnt really a good solution either. They generally dont have as long a life as these two do with predators and poor diets.
Most likely the people that dumped those ducks years ago never think of them anymore ( if they are domestic ) - And if they are wild ducks- the lone one should be able to fly off to find a new mate.

I was thinking the same, most likely if wild it will fly off in search of a new friend. if domestic then putting another domestic into the lake won't guarantee they will bond anyway.