by Carla Caruso
A young male driver is reported to have deliberately mowed down a family of ducks crossing Frome Road, next to Park 12 in your Adelaide Park Lands.
Onlooker Dr Sam Newell contacted us, having witnessed the incident after attending an Adelaide Fringe show. She also spoke to Adelaide’s ABC Radio.
“Today [Sunday, 3 March] a man intentionally ran down and murdered an entire family of ducklings on the corner of Frome Road and Victoria Drive, near the [Adelaide] uni,” Dr Newell said.
“He was in a low, white sedan/sports edition and he absolutely saw the poor family of ducks crossing the road over Frome, towards the Park Lands next to the Zoo [in Park 11].
“The sky was clear, the road was clear – he did it on purpose. I saw his face afterwards. He was smug about it; he was not distracted.
Where the incident is said to have happened. Image supplied by Dr Sam Newell.
“In fact, he sped up to hit them as they tried to flee at the last second. Most of the babies died. What an absolute disgrace of a human.
“If anyone has dashcam footage, or council CCTV footage from Frome Rd around 4.45pm, it would be very useful evidence for a police report.
“It was like it happened in slow motion. We were on the other side of the intersection, a way’s back, but everyone else saw the ducklings crossing in a line.
“Another car stopped for them, then this scum sped up to mow them down. The poor daddy duck at the back of the line, that tried to protect them, was squashed with most of the babies.”
Lilliana Rose captured this traffic jam last May, allowing ducks to cross Bartels Road between Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka (Park 14) and King Rodney Park / Ityamai-Itpina (Park 15). (The ducks got across safely.)
Dr Newell has filed a report with SA Police, and has also sent an inquiry to the Adelaide City Council about the alleged animal abuse.
“The lady in the SUV next to us at the lights screamed and was horrified,” Dr Newell said. “Other pedestrians around would also be witnesses.
“At least 50 per cent of the line of ducks were squashed in front of us. A few ducklings and the duck at the front survived.”
Deputy Lord Mayor Keiran Snape.
We contacted Deputy Lord Mayor Keiran Snape about the incident reported and he said he’s made a request to council administration to see if they can investigate and if there is any CCTV footage that can be accessed.
“I'm absolutely horrified,” Cr Snape said. “Society is judged on how it treats its most vulnerable, and animal abuse of all forms is abhorrent — almost an entire family wiped out in a single callous and calculated act.
“I urge people in and around our Park Lands to treat nature, and wildlife especially, with the care and respect it deserves.”
(***UPDATE: Since this article was published, Cr Snape has advised us that the council CCTV camera was turned in a different direction, as was the zoo’s, so was unable to capture anything. It’s been recommended that any witnesses contact the RSPCA.***)
This duck and its offspring were caught on camera by Loretta Smyth at the Adelaide Botanic Garden in Park 11.
A spokesperson for SA Police said: “Police are not investigating at this time but urge anyone with information about the alleged vehicle, including registration number, or dash-cam footage, to contact Crime Stoppers at www.crimestopperssa.com.au or phone 1800 333 000 – you can remain anonymous.”
Any such offence would fall under the Animal Welfare Act 1985.
Meanwhile, at other sites — such as Queensland’s Bruce Highway — fauna-friendly bridges and tunnels have been installed to allow animals safe transport across the road. Could it be time our CBD did something similar?
Ducks at Red Gum Park / Karrawirra (Park 12), near the University of Adelaide.
At the same time, just last month, RSPCA South Australia reported that the SA government had ignored public opinion to allow another season of duck shooting in our state.
The recreational activity – which is banned due to welfare concerns in NSW, Queensland, and Western Australia – will begin in SA on March 16 and finish on June 30. During this time, hunters will be permitted to shoot seven species and take a maximum of 10 ducks per day.
Main photo (top) captured by Adelaide Urban Birding in Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi (Park 16).
