Residents in Lake Martha are concerned about their dwindling Muscovy duck population.
Concerned and suspicious.
In the last several months, according to Homeowners Association President Larry Borman, they have gone from seeing ducks all over the community to hardly seeing any.
“It’s a really sad thing … I guess [it started] about three months ago,” Borman said.
Some residents believe someone is poisoning the ducks. Police are less convinced on intentional poisoning; their working theory pins blame on overfeeding with human food.
Borman said that while the ducks can be messy, the residents on the lake, especially the children, like seeing them. However the ducks have been seen suffering due to the suspected poison, he said.
“It’s just cruel and wrong,” Borman said.
The residents on the lake have voiced their concerns to Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Miami Lakes district.
Maj. Eddy Ulloa wrote in an email that it was determined the ducks were exposed to human grade food, which led to their demise.
“No criminal activity occurred nor were reports generated based on the information brought forward with the way the law is stipulated,” Ulloa wrote.
The State of Florida classifies Muscovy ducks as non-native nuisance animals. Homeowners can dispatch the ducks humanly on their own property, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
To remove the ducks, someone must follow FWC guidelines or hire a licensed trapper.
If a homeowner uses a live trap, they are required to check it every 24 hours. Or you can shoot them.
The FWC requires that any ducks killed must be properly disposed of by burying or burning the carcass with proper permits. The ducks may not be eaten.
The State of Florida does not allow the use of poison to remove nuisance animals or any other method that could be deemed as animal cruelty.
The sheriff’s office did notify FWC about the ducks and no further action has been taken by either law enforcement agency.
For more information about Muscovy ducks, visit https://bit.ly/47bYva1.