CRESTVIEW — The city has taken the next steps to combat an overpopulation of ducks in Twin Hills Park.
On Monday, the Crestview City Council unanimously approved city staff’s collaboration with Critter Control, a humane wildlife removal and animal control company, to reduce the Muscovy duck population seen in the area.
According to documentation from Parks and Recreation Director Brady Peters, the duck population in the park has grown out of control with as many as 12 Pekin ducks, 60 mallards and 235 Muscovy ducks currently populating the park, which is causing problems when trying to keep things clean.
“The untidiness they leave behind on our pavilions, new splash pads, pickleball courts, walking tracks, and playgrounds are becoming increasingly difficult to keep clean,” Peters wrote.
The concerns also follow a November 2023 bird flu outbreak that required the closure of Twin Hills Park for 60 days. The high duck population was first brought up during a meeting on Nov. 18, when the council had several questions to answer before proceeding with the removal project.
According to Peters, a Muscovy duck sanctuary was found in Riverview to prevent further euthanizing of Muscovys. However, the refuge is currently “maxed out” and has no additional information on when it can take ducks. Furthermore, Critter Control can only transport animals to locations no further than one hour away.
According to city documentation, with the council’s approval, Critter Control will reduce the duck population through all legal and humane means.
“It was determined that only some of the ducks could be relocated, and the only approved alternative for population reduction of certain breeds was through humane euthanization,” according to information from the meeting.
Critter Control will charge the city $708 for a two-hour session to remove the necessary ducks.
This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Crestview to address duck population at Twin Hills Park