	AllExperts > Wild Animals
	Search

About Dana Krempels, Ph.D.
Expertise
I'm an evolutionary biologist with a passion for animals. Ask about natural history, behavior, ecology, evolution. PLEASE NOTE:

If you have found an "orphaned" wild animal or bird:
Please don't waste time asking questions on the internet, as the answers may come too late. DO NOT FEED THE ANIMAL, and DO NOT HANDLE IT unless it is in imminent danger. (Many wild "orphans" are not orphans at all!) If you are absolutely sure it is orphaned, keep it warm and quiet, and find a LICENSED WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR HERE. Don't try to raise the baby yourself. Many a well-intentioned rescuer will do more harm than good, especially with baby birds and baby rabbits.

I.D. OF MYSTERY ANIMALS
Without geographic location, time of day and habitat, I can't help. A clear picture is always best.

I.D. OF MYSTERY ANIMAL SOUNDS
It's impossible for me to I.D. an animal call without hearing it myself.

COMPARATIVE STRENGTHS
I'm not an expert on comparative strengths of different animals (more complicated than you might think!) nor bite forces.

FIGHTING ANIMALS
I refuse to answer "Which of these two animals--X or X--would win in a fight?".

These hypothetical matchups range from impossible (Grizzly Bears and Gorillas don't even occupy the same continent.) to ridiculous (Someone asked me "Who would win a fight between a Great White Shark and a tiger?").

The vast majority of animals--even the fierce and powerful--are not as warlike as Homo sapiens, and it's childish to project our aggressiveness onto them.

Experience
I have been the fortunate caregiver to a group of Black-tailed Jackrabbits rescued from the Miami International Airport, and not releasable in this area because they are not native. I also have rehabbed and released Eastern Cottontails, and am in contact with many very experienced wildlife rescuers who regularly handle injured or orphaned rabbits and hares.

Organizations
House Rabbit Society

Publications
Exotic DVM journal

Education/Credentials
I have a Ph.D. in Biology, with main areas of expertise in evolutionary biology, genetics, botany, and ecology.

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Veterinary Medicine > Wild Animals > Peking Duck - Abandoned at our school

Wild Animals - Peking Duck - Abandoned at our school

Expert: Dana Krempels, Ph.D. - 11/8/2009

Question
QUESTION: Good Evening:

I am not sure if this is the type of questions that you answer. I did not really understand the descriptions next to each expert’s name. If I have contacted the wrong expert please be kind enough to forward to the appropriate person.

However, I am hoping that you will take the time to help me. I am a parent, and on the first day of school this year when we parked our car there where two Peking ducks vocalizing and grooming under the Lake Montessori School sign. They where obviously a “pair” and so cute—makes my heart melt.

I checked with the front office to see if they needed any help with the ducks (most needs at the school are met by volunteering parents to keep costs down) I was informed that the ducks where abandoned by someone the night before.

The school has a small pond that dries within a week of no rain, but at the time the ducks where dropped off the pond area was plenty wet. The county has also put in a huge retention pond just across the street, so over time when the pond at the school dries they waddle across the street.

All was well, I went to the local feed store and found out what they ate and returned to the school with the recommend food. Fearing for their safety I contacted the local “farm: rescue and they came out and tried to catch them to no avail, they soon gave up and left.

Well, about 14 days after they arrived, we came in one morning and there was only one duck and a pile of feathers, apparently something had killed the ducks mate.

The children want to keep the duck as a mascot and he/she stays under the school sign when the children are there and you can go close but she/he doesn’t eat out of your hands yet.

I would like to know if there is a way to protect him without corralling him, because that isn’t an option, my husband has gotten permission to build a nesting box or something that is none obtrusive, would the duck use it? Would a nesting box help to protect him? What would the proper “box” look like?

We live in Florida so the weather thus far has not been a problem but what are their tolerances to hot/cold? I tried to do a search on Peking duck and the results where menus from restaurants apparently I do not know how to word my query to get the correct documentation. I also looked at our library and we do not have any books on domestic duck care.

Any help, knowledge and suggestions you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

ANSWER: Dear Marjorie,

I'm sorry about the death of the duck. Sadly, this is often the fate of a domestic animal dumped into the "wild" and left to fend for itself. They simply are not equipped with the natural fear and caution of a wild duck, and so they are often easy prey for a passing predator.

There really isn't a way to protect the remaining duck without containing him/her. And actually, it's not a bad idea to keep the duck as a pet, as long as it's given plenty of good care and space. Ducks are very messy, though, so be prepared for that!

This is important information for the school kids and anyone wanting to let the domestic duck stay free:

http://duckrescuenetwork.org/duck_care.html#never

You don't say how far north you are in Florida, but even here in Miami we do get the occasional migratory mallard (the wild version of the "Peking" duck, and capable of interbreeding with them). So it's best to keep the domestic ducks separate from them. Here's a nice web site where you can find out about their care and maintenance:

http://www.avianweb.com/pekinducks.html

Hope that helps. Thank you for your kindness.

Dana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Good Afternoon Dana,

Thank you for your in depth response, I found your website links to be very helpful, however, on both sites they where very evasive on shelter requirements except to say that animals will go under a pen and over, to get a duck dinner. The site also suggested a concrete floor covered in straw, to cure this mode of predatory behavior. I need to find an alternate solution as this is not possible.

I know that the school is less then ideal for this animal because they will not allow a coop to be installed where this animal can get to either one of the local pond areas because they are both located in the front of the school adjacent to the parking areas. Lucky the school is on a quite side road and all the parents have been careful to stop and wait for the duck to waddle past if she is crossing the road.

I will try to get our local rescue farm to try to catch her again. I was thinking we could do a small nesting box, with a small roof and a minimal grass area, with some sort of mobile yard similar to a child’s play pen, just to keep her safe at night, and to keep her out of the wind and rain, we are in central Florida just one hour north of Orlando. Of course, there would still be the issue of corralling her and getting her use to being walked to the pen at sunset.

The school will only allow a structure that is temporary in nature, thus not requiring a permit from the county to be built. The structure needs to remain small because appearances are important—to the people who have a say in these types of matters because of financial donations to the school. There is unfortunely an elite inner circle. Politics! I was thinking that if the structure where portable and moved several feet every few days that with the rain ECT that the area would be kept naturally clean,

I don’t know why people think they can absolve their responsibility of a domesticated animal by turning it loose, in this case, where it LOOKS like its natural habitat, if it where WILD. I am not surprised; we have women abandoning their own babies in cardboard boxes to escape responsibility!

I would actually bring the duck home if I did not already have a Great Dane from Tampa Bay Great Dane Rescue that we have a commitment to care for. I do not know if Jay-Jay would be aggressive toward the duck or just curious in the beginning and then leave her alone after being introduced. After looking at the pictures on the website, I have determined the duck is a female. I do not know if sex would make a difference in the two animals behavior toward one another.

Thank you agian for your time.

Marjorie Merritt

Answer
Dear Marjorie,

You are so kind to be concerned with this poor duck's welfare. But I'll be honest with you: a temporary pen would be a death sentence for her, and be even more dangerous than her being loose. If she's in the pen, she can't escape into the water when a predator approaches, and very few predators would be deterred by a flimsy, movable pen. If you put her in the pen, expect a pile of feathers and bones one morning.

The only way to truly ensure her safety is to capture her and get her into a secure situation where she is completely protected. She does not belong in the wild. If you can coax her into a puppy pen with treats and food, and cover the puppy pen with towels so she can't fly over the top, you may be able to herd her into a carrier and get her to a duck rescue or other sanctuary.

I hope you are successful. Good luck!

Dana

Add to this Answer Ask a Question