In a shocking turn of events, three mallard ducks have been euthanized after they were found preying on vulnerable pūteketeke chicks in the Mackenzie basin of Canterbury. This distressing incident has raised significant concerns about wildlife interactions and the behavior of species typically considered harmless.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) rangers were taken aback when a concerned individual submitted photographs depicting these ducks actively hunting and consuming freshly hatched pūteketeke (also known as Australasian crested grebes) chicks near Lake Alexandrina, located south of Lake Tekapo. This particular bird species had recently drawn international attention in 2023, thanks to comedian John Oliver's successful campaign that led to its crowning as Forest and Bird's Bird of the Century.
Dean Nelson, the principal biodiversity ranger at DOC, expressed his horror upon witnessing graphic evidence of the ducks eating the chicks alive, noting that such predatory behavior is highly unusual for mallards. "Typically, mallard ducks primarily consume plant matter, with an occasional intake of protein from insects and snails during their breeding season," he explained.
"To see them attacking pūteketeke chicks was truly alarming. When I visited the site, I observed three mallards in the creek where these grebe nests are situated, and they were clearly evaluating the nests for potential prey."
Interestingly, adult pūteketeke seemed oblivious to the threat posed by the mallards, failing to recognize them as predators. According to Nelson, this type of duck behavior was previously unknown to DOC experts, sparking fears that it might become more widespread, as ducks are known to learn from one another. He referenced a research paper from a Cambridge University scientist, which described a similar incident in Romania in 2017, where mallards were reported to have attacked and consumed the chicks of two common bird species. This study suggested that the ducks may have been seeking additional protein before laying eggs.
In light of this unsettling situation, the individual who alerted the authorities did the right thing by documenting the behavior and contacting the department. Nelson praised this proactive approach, stating, "This exemplifies how individuals can take meaningful action for the sake of our wildlife and help protect our endangered species. While some may mistakenly believe the pūteketeke to be an introduced species due to its name, it is, in fact, native and classified as nationally vulnerable."
With the goal of encouraging public engagement with local wildlife, DOC wants to empower citizens to act as vigilant observers of nature. "We encourage people to be our eyes and ears when exploring the outdoors, as our rangers cannot be everywhere at once," Nelson added.
As a precaution during the festive summer season, campers and boaters around the popular Lake Benmore shoreline were urged to keep an eye out for pūteketeke, particularly following reports of nest disturbances at the Ōhau C campground. Many of these nests were positioned near the boat ramp and spread across the lake's edge.
Over the past five breeding seasons, the pūteketeke colony has maintained an impressive 40 to 50 nests annually, although this year, the birds have been raising their young later than usual in the outlet creek beside Lake Alexandrina.
After capturing the troublesome ducks using nets, DOC staff humanely euthanized them to prevent further predation. Rangers planned to return to the area to ensure that no other mallard ducks were exhibiting similar predatory behavior.
What do you think about this controversial situation? Could there be a deeper issue at play regarding wildlife interactions? Share your thoughts in the comments!
