Stop Feeding Our Ducks

submitted by St. Margaret College Boys Secondary Verdala : Adel Khalifa, Nicholas Buhagiar for 11-14
dissemination(s): newspaper, website
Dissemination description: Sent to school website and Times of Malta (No proof as yet available)
filed under Photos

Feeding ducks is always tempting. The natural pond of Marsascala town harbours various ducks and fish regularly fed with proper healthy food by the Local Council. However, passing by people (mostly children) feed them bread, chips, popcorn etc. without realizing how detrimental this is. Though some ducks like bread and starchy food, there is no nutritional value in this diet. Artificial and starchy food fills up their stomachs and then they refuse to eat their proper food needed to keep them healthy. Without the proper nutrition, ducks turn prone to diseases and die. Giving excess food to ducks means more droppings and then excess feces cause water pollution, unsanitary environment and spread of diseases in the bird population. Also feeding ducks with artificial food contaminates the pond water and increases pests. On contacting the Local Council, I suggested more proper food awareness and safety signs preventing people from feeding ducks.