Local Naturalist Speaks About Deformed Birds Seen At OKC Parks

Deformed and injured birds in Oklahoma City’s public parks are a gruesome sight, but Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation Naturalist William Hagenbuck said that does not mean there is cause for concern. 

There are several maimed ducks and geese at Stars and Stripes Park near Hefner Lake. 

State Department of Wildlife Conservation Information Officer Micah Holmes said they may be migratory, or they may live at the park year-round. 

Holmes said some of the wildlife we see in the park are not exactly wild animals. 

“With city parks, unfortunately, sometimes someone will have a pet duck or a pet goose, and when it gets too big or too messy, they’ll release it,” he said. 

Muscovey ducks are common in the park, but they are not technically wild animals. 

Naturalists say even missing a foot, birds can live a typical life. 

“Wildlife, ducks, geese, are very resilient, and most of the time they’ll heal up just fine,” Holmes said. 

To help keep wildlife safe, clean up your trash when leaving the park.

“When you leave trash and refuse around, there’s always an opportunity for wildlife to get entangled in it,” he said. 

Holmes also called on us to clean up after ourselves when leaving a greenspace.

“When you leave trash and refuse around, there’s always an opportunity for wildlife to get entangled in it,” he said. 

If you see an injured animal in the park, call animal control for where you live.