TYRONE, Pa.-- A Blair County borough is taking after action ducks are taking over a local park that could potentially be dangers to people's health.Tyrone Borough Council members voted Monday to prohibit feeding the ducks at Reservoir Park. There are nearly two hundred ducks that call the park home and use it as their bathroom, which poses some health hazards to humans.
"It's really bad up there and it's creating a public health hazard," Tyrone Mayor, William Fink said. "We had to take action for the people who use our parks."
According to health experts humans can get parasites from duck droppings and their waste could contaminate the water. Wildlife experts said the ducks, who are supposed to fly south, are sticking around for the free food.
"In areas where people feed the ducks it delays migration or the choose not to migrate at all because they've got a good food source and then the water freezes it causes major problems," said Robyn Graboski with Centre Wildlife care.
Federal regulations prohibit local government from caring for the ducks or interfering, unless a federal permit for relocation is granted. Some took to social media to voice their concerns about prohibiting feeding the duck, but we found one park attended who agreed with the borough's action
"If it helps I think they should or either scatter them a little bit," Sue Smith said.
Under the new ordinance, if someone is caught feeding the ducks they be fined $300.
Officials are asking people just to leave the bread at home.
"I know the kids love them and I know it is a good way to great rid of your stale bread but please don't feed the ducks," Fink said.
"You are essentially killing them with kindness," Graboski said.
To learn more about Centre County Wildlife Care click here.
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