A bonded male-female pair of Pekin ducks were discovered by park rangers at Union Reservoir in Longmont this week. These birds, estimated to be juveniles, were dumped illegally and are part of a growing trend of bird dumping across the state. Bird abandonment not only endangers the lives of these creatures but also disrupts local ecosystems and spreads disease.
The Union Reservoir Pekin ducks were rescued by Good Life Refuge, who will provide these ducks with a safe environment. “These juvenile ducks probably wouldn’t have lived past the weekend, if we wouldn’t have intervened. We are full, but couldn’t let them die out here.” said Good Life Refuge executive Director Nicole Brecht.
Domesticated birds, like Pekin ducks, are frequently abandonment as owners grapple with the responsibility of caring for them. These actions result in dire situations for these animals, as they are ill-equipped to survive in the wild. The consequences of this growing problem are far-reaching, affecting not only the birds but also the environments they are left in.
“It is troubling and sad to see how many ducks and chickens are dumped on a daily basis. Rescues are overflowing with discarded birds and can’t keep up anymore,” said Brecht.
To combat this issue, Good Life Refuge advocates for responsible pet ownership and hopes to raise awareness about the consequences of bird dumping.
