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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
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

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