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RIP "DUCKY" MAY 8, 2005

Central Park News
Sadly, "Ducky", a fixture at The Pool at 103rd Street for at least three years was found dead by park workers on Sunday morning, May 8th, 2005. A subsequent investigation found that Ducky had been chased down and killed by an unleashed dog earlier that morning. This duck was beloved by one and all. She never hurt anyone. Children and adults alike enjoyed feeding this friendly duck and she will be missed by a great many people.

Unleashed dogs have always been a problem for me. They destroy habitat and chase away birds I am trying to photograph but I had given-up saying anything to their owners. My experience had shown that their owners were not about to put their dogs on a leash and I would usually get some sort of nasty insult for my trouble. Once I was even physically threatened by a large buffoon who was letting his five unleashed dogs tear up the Wildflower Meadow. Threats or no threats I have had it. This small band of selfish individuals should not be allowed to destroy the park and its wildlife.

If you think this is a problem and would like to help, contact the Parks Commissioner Adrian Benape and ask him to crackdown on unleashed dogs in Central Park. The only way we are going to change things is by telling our elected (and appointed) officials that we find the situation intolerable and hold them accountable. It is the law and we deserve to have it enforced. You can also call 311 and make your views known by telephone.

Over the past several years I have taken hundreds of photographs of this friendly and photogenic duck. Here is a link to that exhibit.

Below are selected comments from some of the e-mails I have received:

"For the past four years, we have lived across from the Pool, our favorite spot in the park. What made this area so special and wonderful was the little white duck, whom we named Lily.

Lily emanated grace, and peace, and love. Every day, I would walk around the Pool, after my morning run, and say hello to Lily and offer her a prayer, thanking her for all she brought to humanity, and wishing her safety.

Too many times, I watched as unleashed dogs took chase after her, as apathetic owners looked on. Like you, I've told more than one dog owner to act responsibly, to little avail.

Lily made it through harsh winters; she persevered, with dignity, only to succumb to this tragic ending.

We look forward to your tribute to Lily, a very special soul and spirit.

But our hearts truly are broken..."

"I was sorry beyond words to hear this news. I loved that duck, a wild friend who allowed me to make contact. She was named Cinderella after a little girl saw me petting her one evening and I told the story of the failed clutch of eggs laid in a ground-level tree hollow in the Ravine.
The name seemed to fit.

I'm going to try to write an article about what happened to her for the Central Park dog owners newsletter. It's horrible that someone allowed their animal to do this.

I'm truly heartbroken over what happened. Cinderella was playful, trusting, inquisitive--a unique and intelligent creature."