THUNDER BAY — The Ministry of Natural Resources is investigating the reported removal of a live duck from the International Friendship Gardens.
The incident reportedly happened last week at the city-owned park off Victoria Avenue.
Molly Hogan was one of the people who observed a man and woman approach the bird, offer it a treat, then put a sheet over it and take it to their vehicle.
While she and family members were enjoying a picnic, she said, they had noticed the arrival of a couple who appeared to be in their sixties.
"They pulled up and started feeding a duck near the pond, then pulled out a white sheet and threw it over the duck, picked it up, and put it in their truck," Hogan told TBnewswatch.
"I was taken aback by it. My mom took off running towards [the man] asking 'What are you doing with this duck?' "
She said he replied that the bird's wing was injured, and that it was in a weak condition.
"My mom asked for proof, and he told her and my 10-year-old son to get away from his truck . . . He just proceeded to ignore her, and other people approached him too and he ignored them."
Hogan said that when she told the man the bird could be seen flapping its wings in the back, and seemed to be fine, "he just shrugged his shoulders and got into the truck, and that was the end of it," despite the fact more than one person advised him what he was doing is not permitted.
Ontario laws generally prohibit capturing and relocating live wildlife.
A spokesperson for the MNR confirmed to TBnewswatch that the ministry is aware of the incident and that conservation officers are currently conducting an investigation.
