Crime & Safety
Dead Ducks Found in Gulfport
The Gulfport Police Department is looking into why seven ducks have died in the past two days at a local pond.
In the past 48 hours Gulfport Police officers have recovered seven dead ducks at Tomlinson Park.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is set to pick up one deceased duck from Gulfport Police on Friday, August 16 for testing. Gulfport Police Chief Robert Vincent says officials will test for avian botulism - a paralytic disease caused by ingestion of a toxin produced by the bacterium, Clostridium botulinum.
Chief Vincent says officers responded to a call around 10 p.m. Wednesday night. Two Pekin ducks were found dead on the shoreline and one was struggling to survive. Officers took the duck to an emergency vet, but it died there.
On Thursday, four Mallard ducks were also found dead on the banks of the water.
"Since there are no other species being affected, we want them to be tested," Vincent said.
Vincent says the next step is to contact the city's herbicide vendor. He will request a safety data sheet to see if the herbicides could be harming the ducks.
A neighbor spotted walking her dog Thursday night says she's seen the number of ducks decrease recently and believes the herbicides are to blame.
If you find a deceased duck at Tomlinson Park, Vincent says to double bag the animal and place it in the trash.
"Do not bury or burn the animal," he said.
If you have any questions call the Gulfport Police Department at 893-1030.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.