(October 26, 2001) HRM Parks and Open Spaces has begun a program this week aimed at educating the public of the problems associated with feeding of the large numbers of wild ducks in HRM urban parks. Initially the program will target the serious problems in the Halifax Public Gardens and Sullivans Pond Park in Dartmouth. A second phase in the spring will target other park lakes and ponds such as Lake Banook, Julie's Heart Shaped Pond in Hemlock Ravine Park and Frog Pond at Fleming Park.

The objectives of the program are two fold; 1) to reduce the feeding of ducks at these parks to ensure the wild ducks return to their natural concentrations and habitats, ensuring their health and natural migratory patterns and 2) to reduce the number of ducks and waterfowl at these locations which has led to damage to the parks and degradation of the pond environments.

Thousands of ducks have populated a few small ponds in HRM because of public feeding. The feeding of these wild animals by the public has changed migratory behaviours to the point where normally, migratory ducks stay behind at the Public Gardens and Sullivans Pond where they face the rigours of winter. Popcorn, nuts , chips , enriched bread and other inappropriate food are neither essential for their survival nor good for their health. Due to the higher populations there is also a greater risk of disease.

Ponds and waterways have become polluted by the resulting high nitrogen levels caused by duck faeces and larger than sustainable populations have created erosion of turf areas, flower beds and pond walls exposing tree roots and damaging plant life. At Julie's Heart Shaped Pond, the over population of ducks may be affecting the viability of rare amphibian habitat.

"We are not seeking to eliminate the ducks from our parks. People enjoy the ducks, however in these numbers the ducks represent a problem to their own health and the overall health of the parks. It is feeding which encourages the ducks to stay in such numbers. By educating the public as to the problems brought on by feeding, we hope that many of the wild ducks will move back to their natural habitat and migratory patterns leaving a smaller more sustainable population in the parks" says Parks and Open Spaces Manager Peter Bigelow.

HRM will be segregating the domestic water fowl associated with the Public Gardens and Sullivans Pond and feeding them separately in an effort to ensure that available food sources are reduced to a point where the wild ducks will voluntarily move to their migratory destinations. The migration of these ducks is dependent on food availability.

Beginning this week, HRM will be unveiling new interpretive signage with an educational message explaining why these wild ducks should not be fed. As this program evolves, Parks will be introducing further initiatives to improve water quality in ponds, repair erosion of pond banks and surrounding turf areas. The Halifax Regional Municipality is asking for the assistance of the public in this matter.

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Contact: Jay Wesley
Horticulture Supervisor
HRM Parks & Open Spaces
(902)435-8327

or

Lori Patterson
Acting Corporate Communications Officer, HRM
(902)490-6531