A mallard duck is lucky to be alive after a close call with an arrow, thanks to some local wildlife veterinarians.
The injured duck was first spotted on Saturday, March 25, swimming around a lake in Newport Beach with an arrow protruding out of its neck, according to the Newport Beach Police Department. An animal control officer tried to use a small boat to catch the duck, but it was able to fly away.
The bird was then spotted again on Sunday near Kaiser Elementary School in Costa Mesa.
Local authorities, along with help from Costa Mesa residents, were able to capture the duck and turn it over to the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach, according to the center’s executive director Debbie McGuire.
Doctors acted quickly to assess the bird, perform X-rays, and remove the arrow. The bird’s jaw and cheekbone were severely injured, but the arrow did not penetrate its trachea or fracture any bones.
McGuire said that this is just one instance of the little regard people can have for wildlife.
“What a horrific thing,” McGuire said. “I get so tired of seeing all of these injuries that are caused by humans.”
Newport Beach police are investigating the injury to the bird as a case of animal cruelty and unlawful hunting.
Anyone with information about the case, or who can identify those responsible, was asked to contact NBPD Animal Control Officer Nick Ott at (949) 644-3688 ext. 2716 or nott@nbpd.org
