January 8, 2007 - My name is Brieann Masenior, I am a Rescue Coordinator with Duck Rescue Network, a nonprofit nationwide network of wildlife and domestic waterfowl rehabbers, rescuers and adoption/foster contacts. I am coordinating a rescue in Elizabeth, PA and could really use some help from caring people, such as yourselves.
Basically, the town of Elizabeth, PA has chosen to eradicate their population of abandoned domesticated muscovy ducks on the river. Resident, Debbie Metz , contacted me through DRN and pleaded for help to save these feral ducks from euthanization at the hands of the town. They fall into a "gray area" of the law , where as they are not considered pets and are not protected as wildlife. Another organization successfully removed 12 of the 32 ducks in June, 6 of them severely injured from frostbite from the previous winter. There are now 20 ducks- 1 is injured and needs medical attention ASAP. We have been given a deadline of January 1, 2007 to remove all domestics from the river. The media has followed this story closely and it has given us the opportunity to stall the efforts of the town. I would be happy to credit your organization to the media for assisting us.
The dilemma I am running into is the fact that I have transport available for the ducks to their new pre-approved homes, unfortunately, I live 5 hours from this area and cannot do the rescuing myself. I have a experienced member who lives 2 hours from the location and is willing to drive there and head this effort, but could really use a few more local hands on-site of the rescue. On-line Training and Education can be provided to any interested volunteers prior.
I am trying to get the town to trap them and release them to DRN, but at this time I have not heard back from them. I would love to speak more about this with you directly, if you would please please please contact me. I feel I have exhausted all other local resources with no successful results and am losing hope in helping these defenseless creatures.
Here is a heartbreaking news link w/ video footage :
http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/9764258/detail.html
and a follow up story: http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/10293897/detail.html
Also, please feel free to add my info and DRN's to the shelters rescue contact lists for domestic waterfowl.
Thank you so very much and I hope to hear from you soon,
Brieann Masenior / Cecil County, MD / home: 443-345-1586 cell : 443-417-8648
www.duckrescuenetwork.org /