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Fairfield, CA
D
espite well publicized warnings
from the CDC, parents ignore warnings
and buy baby ducks, chicks and bunnies
during Easter week, typically on
impulse. And, every year, children
become ill with Salmonella poisoning
as a result of handling the animals.
“Not only is it
cruel for these baby animals to
be sold without any regard for their
proper care, but it creates tremendous
problems later, when the animals
that do survive are “dumped”
in public parks,” said Karen
Benzel, Public Affairs Director.
The wildlife experts
at International Bird Rescue Research
Center have a better idea –
adopt a wild duckling through their
Native Waterfowl Reintroduction
Program. Last year, fourteen hundred
wild ducklings were raised at IBRRC’s
two centers. All ducklings were
orphans who lost their mothers due
to some human related encounter.
“This is a very
positive way to celebrate a holiday,
event or just to help us help the
ducklings,” Benzel said, “and
it is unique because the birds are
banded before release. When you
adopt a wild bird through our program,
you receive a beautiful certificate
that includes the band number of
your bird as well as the date and
place it was released. The bands
provide important research data,
and no one else will get that band
number.” A photo and year
long membership to IBRRC is included
in the $25.00 duckling adoption
fee. IBRRC’s adoption program
is very popular, and the pelican
adoption program typically has a
waiting list.
IBRRC has great success
raising healthy, wild orphans; ninety
percent of the ducklings they receive
live. At around five weeks of age,
the ducklings released into natural
waterfowl habitats.
Adoption forms and
more information can be found
on at adopt
a bird. Orphan
herons and egrets can also be adopted
for a slightly higher fee. Pelican
adoptions are $200 and $500 for
adoption and release.
IBRRC’s website
also has information about the difference
between domestic ducks and wild
ducks. The article, “No
Escape From Harsh Reality,”
explains in detail the issues domestic
ducks face when forced to “fend
for themselves,” why ducks
shouldn’t be fed bread, and
the problems hybrids (domestic ducks
mating with wild ducks) face.
If you do not have access
to the internet, you may adopt a
duckling by calling Ann Yasuda,
707-207-0380, extension 109.
Media contact:
Public Affairs Director
(831) 622-7588
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