In 1968 when the late Ralph Woodward bequeathed 235 acres to Fresno to be used as a park and bird sanctuary, he probably didn't imagine that the beautiful animals which reside there would be so severely neglected.
Located at 7775 Friant Road in Fresno, Woodward Park offers a serene environment with hundreds of animals and birds roaming freely.
On July 26, 2009 while on one of my visits to Woodward park I noticed an injured duck. A 3-hook fishhook protruded from the ducks face. It's one of those hooks that's made to look like a minnow or other small fish that would appeal to larger fish. Fishing is allowed at Riverpark.
When I notified park officials they said that they were aware of the injured animal and had been trying to catch it for awhile. When asked their method of catching they replied, "by hand." I asked if the park had a veterinarian, they said "no." Yet I was able to feed the duck and have it literally 2 feet from me. Sudden movement made it and the other ducks retreat to the water.
By nature when ducks see an injured or different looking duck they peck at it and keep it away from the other ducks. This duck is needlessly suffering. Under the car of a Vet. the hook can be easily removed, a strong antibiotic can be administered and the duck can go on living. But as it is, the duck will succumb to infection within a few weeks.
What I don't understand is why is fishing allowed at a bird sanctuary? The land was left for a specific purpose to the city, any deviation from that would violate the Will of Mr. Woodward. Fishhooks are dangerous, as are the bobbers and fishingline that is left in the water when stuck on an object like a submerged rock or tree limb. Animals are curious and are attracted to shiny objects creating a hazardous condition. These hooks can get stuck in their feet, ingested causing massive internal injuries or like this poor duck, stuck on their body leaving them exposed to infection, further injury and death.