WINTER PARK ENACTS INVASIVE DUCK REMOVAL

The Rock has always been a statement piece in the quad, but a few years back, it captured Trinity’s attention for the nest underneath and eggs within. Muscovy ducks were the cause, and after living in non-native suburban areas for decades, the city of Winter Park has taken action.

On December 14, Winter Park approved a removal program for the invasive Muscovy ducks. The ducks are native in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, Uruguay and the region of Mexico south to Argentina. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website, Muscovy ducks quickly reproduce and populations can surge in a short period of time. These large populations have a considerable impact on the native species and environment.

“Epecially here in Florida, a lot of [invasive species] can out compete the native species,” science teacher Margaret Smith said. “They end up pressuring them into different niches that they never had to occupy before.”

One example of invasive species challenging native species they now live alongside are Knight Anoles, who have been invasive to Florida since the 1950s. According to Smith, Carolina Anoles, or green anoles, were driven out of their native habitat in Florida by Knight Anoles and took shelter in higher levels of forest cover.

“The Carolina Anole isn’t living it’s full potential which is called its realized or fundamental niche,” Smith said. “It’s living in a realized niche.”

Muscovy ducks are no exception as they carry a multitude of diseases that are transmitted to native ducks. In addition, they are very aggressive.

“I have had some come up to me and be very, very territorial about their space,” Smith said. to city property and public education. Besides active removal, it also contains plans of modifications to habitat and a re-establishment of native species. According to the Park Ave Mag-

English teacher and birdwatcher Steven Krueger has noticed a significant reduction in bird populations.

“There’s been a really huge decline in birds over the last couple of decades,” Krueger said. “Anything that adds to the competition is not necessarily positive.”

According to Science.org, a survey done by US and Canadian researchers reveal that 3 billion birds in North America have disappeared since the 1970s. The exact causes have not been determined yet, but there are speculations.

“You’ve got climate change…loss of habitat, I believe, is a big one,” Krueger said. “Cats, to be quite honest. [Outdoor cats] kill millions a year, but that is legimately a top five or six cause.”

The Muscovy duck removal program applies azine, Director of Natural Resources and Sustainability Gloria Eby said that an experienced trapper will be hired to humanely relocate the Muscovy ducks.

Although Winter Park has started the removal program, Trinity is not joining. There are still some that harbor environmental concerns.

“If you can take [the ducks] out of the system in a humane way, then that’s better longterm,” Krueger said. “Not for the duck, but for the collective environment.”