Respect deserved for duck rescuers

I respond with extreme sadness and distress regarding the severe cull of mallard ducks in the Woy Woy-Blackwall area.

I went to rescue a severely-injured immature drake at the Lions Park following the holidays, and I have to say the place feels like it has lost its soul.

To give some historical context to this most inhumane cull event, I will summarise the nightmare my husband and I have endured as wildlife caretakers in the region for over three years.

We relocated to St Huberts Island eight years ago, and I have been caring for injured and sick native and non-native ducks for the past six as it's a necessary service.

I started after I witnessed a number of uncaring locals allowing their unleashed dogs to maul, maim and kill ducks as part of their daily exercise regime.

My wonderful, supportive husband works in Sydney during the week while I have dedicated my retirement to caring for our wonderful ducks once I saw the carnage firsthand.

There was general respect for my heartfelt and necessary service for the first couple of years.

However neighbourly attitudes became more hostile when larger numbers of ducks were sick and dying at the same time as pelicans and other birds.

I took a number of the bodies to Sydney which were autopsied by The Australian Registry of Wildlife Health.

The very recent release of the EPA's investigation and ARWH findings into the sick and dying birds, identified blue-green algal toxin from a poorly-designed and managed stormwater drain to be the cause and not infections.

During dialogue with an environmental health officer from Gosford Council at the time it was confirmed that there was contamination in the waterways.

Soon after the council's visit, acting manager of NPWS, Mr Alan Henderson, arrived to inspect my care facility and he made a strong point that "if the mallards weren't here there would be more feed for native ducks".

Since these unwarranted visits by Council and NPWS staff, there has been an escalation in regular verbal abuse, attempts at intimidation and harassment by nearby neighbours while my husband is at work.

Over four years ago, a neighbour placed a duck statue in the front of his garden with a large arrow through its head with blood dripping down its face.

This obscenity is in sight as we come and go from our home.

Another family spears the ducks and despite calls to the RSPCA, there has been no response.

The unintelligent rumour promoted by the neighbourly mob is that the birds are a source of disease.

Every living being is a potential source of disease and we're more at risk of a respiratory infection in an air-conditioned shopping centre, than as a neighbour in a well ventilated, outdoor environment.

I'm requesting that a veterinarian wade into this debate for the greater good of wildlife caretakers everywhere so that the malicious misinformation and persecution stops.

A few of us in the community take on this vital community service at great personal and financial cost and consequently deserve respect, support and protection in our own community.

Please keep this conversation going as the discussion on kindness and care for our suffering wildlife and those who do the care taking needs to have a greater community focus and discussion.

Only kindness matters in the end.

Email, 13 Oct 2016

Susan Keatinge, St Huberts Island