“[They were] trying to make friends with each of the passerby golfers …”
Recently, Matthew Lyson, owner of Michigan Duck Rescue and Sanctuary (MDRS), received a call that sent him racing into his car for an unexpected hour-long rescue mission.
Although Lyson had other plans for the day, he immediately changed course after hearing about two domestic ducks abandoned on a golf course.
“It isn’t as if we don’t have enough rescues here in Michigan, but when you see two sweet little, barely adult, dumped domestic ducks craving attention on Crosswinds Golf Course in Perrysburg, Ohio, you pretty much have to change plans quickly…” Lyson wrote on Facebook.
While the ducks seemed to rely solely on each other for comfort, a network of concerned people was already working to help. One friend, Lisa, notified Lyson of the ducks’ precarious situation on the coyote-filled course, and another friend, Mike, joined the rescue effort without hesitation.
When Lyson arrived, golf course staff shared the heartbreaking story of the two ducks.
“We were told that these two precious angels were hanging out at the 10th and 11th holes, trying to make friends with each of the passerby golfers, for at least two weeks to a month,” Lyson wrote.
Lyson feared the ducks could be suffering from malnutrition after spending so much time on the course. When he spotted them from his golf cart, his concerns were confirmed.
“They were so starved, it is no surprise they were trying to make new friends,” Lyson explained. “I was also amazed they survived that long, as coyotes are known to roam the course frequently.”
The ducks — a male and a female — had defied the odds, but Lyson knew they couldn’t remain on the golf course even another night. After spotting them in a watering hole, he and Mike carefully lured them out with a bag of nuts and safely captured the pair.
After a month of wandering and searching for help, the ducks finally met the humans who would ensure their safety. Lyson and Mike cradled the rescued birds all the way to the car and didn’t release them until they arrived at MDRS.
At their new home, the ducks quickly adapted, forming friendships with other residents and swimming happily in MDRS’ ponds. Once abandoned and vulnerable on a golf course, they now enjoy a secure, loving environment thanks to Lyson’s swift and compassionate intervention.
This rescue highlights the power of community and quick action in wildlife conservation, reminding us that even small efforts can change the lives of vulnerable animals.