- May 11, 2009
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Thank you, goosedragon, you are absolutely right in your post. I work in a History Dept., and while American is not my field, my colleagues have shown me many American History text books that cite the muscovy as one of the first animals to be domesticated by the native population of Florida (i.e.-- They are a heck of a lot more native that WE are!! So, who's the 'nuisance' species now?!?)
I have written to Ocala officials explaining as you do here that an agressive education program teaching park patrons about the negetive effects of feeding wildlife could solve their problem in a far more humane, less expensive manner and be far less of a public relations debacle. Without supplimentary feeding, the birds are going to fly to greener pastures.
If anyone else on this site would like to do the same, here are some links to make it easy:
Director of Parks and Rec, Kathy Crile '[email protected]'; the Mayor: Randy Ewers '[email protected]'; and head City Councilman Kyle Kay '[email protected]'
Also, there is a petition to sign if you are interested: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/protect-florida-muscovies
I feel like these city officials do OWE these birds something because they didn't bother to insitute preventative messures to manage the flock (like public education about feeding) when it was 25 ducks, and now they want to take the easy way out. If muscovies were not flighted, then perhaps the 'culling' as a 'humane' measure would make more sense. But, as it stands this seems to be an unneccessary lazy man's way out to me. Finally, I know many people who frequent this park, and all of them that I have asked say that they appreciate the presence of the ducks, and do not feel that they are overpopulated or causing problems. One of them called the ducks the "Central part" of her park-going experience.
Thank you for reading!!!
I have written to Ocala officials explaining as you do here that an agressive education program teaching park patrons about the negetive effects of feeding wildlife could solve their problem in a far more humane, less expensive manner and be far less of a public relations debacle. Without supplimentary feeding, the birds are going to fly to greener pastures.
If anyone else on this site would like to do the same, here are some links to make it easy:
Director of Parks and Rec, Kathy Crile '[email protected]'; the Mayor: Randy Ewers '[email protected]'; and head City Councilman Kyle Kay '[email protected]'
Also, there is a petition to sign if you are interested: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/protect-florida-muscovies
I feel like these city officials do OWE these birds something because they didn't bother to insitute preventative messures to manage the flock (like public education about feeding) when it was 25 ducks, and now they want to take the easy way out. If muscovies were not flighted, then perhaps the 'culling' as a 'humane' measure would make more sense. But, as it stands this seems to be an unneccessary lazy man's way out to me. Finally, I know many people who frequent this park, and all of them that I have asked say that they appreciate the presence of the ducks, and do not feel that they are overpopulated or causing problems. One of them called the ducks the "Central part" of her park-going experience.
Thank you for reading!!!
When I was in the Navy (40+ years ago) I only ran across 1 man out of all the men from Florida who was born there! I suppose things have changed a bit as the men I served with probably returned there and cranked out 2nd and 3th generation "natives"?
)hasn't beed tried yet in this case, and although the case you have seen was not totally succesful (are you sure , though, that it did not help??) does not necessarily mean that it is not going to work anywhere else, or at least to try before we resort to slughtering hundreds of birds, don't you think? My problem with this is that they are choosing to do what is easiest for them, not what is right. And, it is these city & Parks and Rec officials' jobs to handle these matters in a way that properly represents the needs and values of their constituents... jobs that they get paid quite handsomely for I might add. Because they have failed to properly perform an aspect of their positons by exercising flock management and public education early on does not some how make it my job to collect every bird, nor does it mean that I must otherwise forfiet my right to vocally disagree with what they are doing. Especially because, even if they go through with this kill off, if their approach does not change it is simply going to happen again. Thus, I encourage other Florida residents and any other interested parties to convey their concerns to the people in the positions of power here (listed in my last post), including suggestions that they might have about alternative options. I did just this, because I do agree with you that it is easier to complain than it is to solve the problem. I don't think that people need to be rude or abusive, just take citizen action if you disagee with this as I do! Thanks!!!
