Rogue Florida Duck Reigns Terror On The Elderly In Quiet Neighborhood
Cape Coral residents are living in fear, not from hurricanes or gators, but from a deranged Florida duck on a rampage.
The Muscovy menace has sent one senior to the hospital and continues to stalk others, wings flared and beak ready.
With no official help in sight, the neighbors are flapping mad.
For nearly 30 years, James Sepulveda has enjoyed peaceful Florida sunsets from his porch.
That was until recently, when he found himself face-to-face with an angry, feathered vigilante.
'I sit on my porch from about 7 to 7:30 p.m. this time of year to catch a sunset and get some sun,' Sepulveda told Fox 4 News. 'I had my eyes closed, and all of a sudden, I felt a jab on my hand. It was bleeding.'
That jab wasn't from a branch or a bug. Rather, it was a sneak attack from the now-infamous Muscovy duck.
Sepulveda, still sporting a bandaged hand, showed news crews the injury and even allowed them inside his home, where the duck was spotted ominously lurking outside his front door like a feathery stalker.
'He's waiting for me,' Sepulveda said, cracking the door open just enough to reveal the black-and-white duck loitering on his property.
Richard Guy, another elderly resident of the neighborhood, also fell victim to the feathery fury.
His encounter started with a peaceful attempt to de-escalate the situation but ended with him getting attacked by the Florida duck.
'I stood up and made some noises, thinking it would go away,' Guy explained. 'Next thing I know, its wings come out—like it was going to attack me.'
Community correspondent Bella Line went to the neighborhood hoping to interview residents about their experiences with the duck. Instead, she found herself the duck's next target.
As Line attempted to speak with residents, the duck turned its attention and rage toward her.
'A Muscovy duck has been chasing people who live on this street,' Line reported. 'When they couldn't get the help they needed, they called me—and I saw the duck's rage firsthand.'
'They're actually committing injury to individuals,' Sepulveda added. 'I want to get rid of it.'
One would think a rogue duck sending elderly residents to the ER would prompt immediate intervention, but that is not the case.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has a pretty hands-off policy when it comes to Muscovy ducks. 'The FWC does not remove nuisance Muscovy ducks,' reads a statement on their website. 'Removal of ducks can be done by the landowner or by a hired nuisance wildlife trapper with landowner permission.'
This means that it is up to the neighborhood to take care of the problem themselves, but the task is not as simple as shooing the bird away with a broom.
Muscovy ducks are technically protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. However, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a Control Order that allows for legal removal under strict conditions.
According to the FWC, approved methods include 'humane methods of live capture,' such as nets or cage traps, or, more controversially, using a firearm on private property during daylight hours, provided it's done with the landowner's permission.
For a group of elderly neighbors, none of these options is simple or safe, though they want the duck out of their community.
'They're actually committing injury to individuals,' Sepulveda added. 'I want to get rid of it.'
The violent Florida duck is not the first animal to terrorize a community in the state in recent years.
In May 2023, at least two people in Luraville, Florida, were hospitalized after being attacked by a feral cat.
According to the Suwannee County Sheriff's Office, the victims were reportedly exercising and walking when the attacks occurred.
In 2019 wild turkeys terrorized a senior community in Zephyrhills, Florida, chasing golf carts, blocking doorways, and injuring an 81-year-old man who broke his hip.
'It was a coordinated attack,' said victim Jerry Danford.
Florida Fish and Wildlife officials suggested 'hazing' the turkeys with umbrellas, hoses, or barking dogs, though such methods were difficult for elderly residents.
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