Looking Out for the Good: Utah nonprofit on a mission to save abandoned ducks

SALT LAKE CITY — A local nonprofit group is on a mission to save Utah's abandoned ducks. “If you go to a local pond, it's very common you'll see maybe 5-10 abandoned ducks or geese. Sometimes 20 plus 30 plus 40 plus,” said Adri Balliff, manager and coordinator at Wasatch Wanderers. Specifically, she said, in the past three years, her team has rescued dozens of abandoned ducks at the Bountiful pond "because that local pond actually freezes over and forces those ducks that are stuck there into a canal." Unable to fly, they're literally sitting ducks and could die. “There's no food source, there's nowhere to hide from predators,” she said. Balliff is working with the city in hopes the staff will post signs warning people that dumping domestic pets is illegal. “WW offers humane rescue and rehoming of abandoned waterfowl along with virtual educational signage for the cities to print and deter abandonment," she said. "They have seen a 90%+ success rate in tackling this crime throughout dozens of ponds through various cities in Utah so far.” She worries that with spring approaching, people will flock to feed supply stores to buy baby ducklings. “They're not equipped to care for the animal, they just think they're cute and once they take them home and start caring for them they don't realize how much work they are,” said Balliff. She says if you are considering adopting a pet, the best bet is to adopt a rescued animal. —For more information about how to volunteer, donate or help in other ways, Wasatch Wanderers has resources on its website.

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