The request of staff for City Council is to review the 2023 Muscovy Duck Survey Report and approve the consultant’s recommendation to allow staff to begin regular egg collection and removal in an effort to reduce the Muscovy duck population in the Orange Lake downtown area and Azalea Pond located in the Heights neighborhood.

As City Council is aware, the Muscovy duck population around the Orange Lake and Azalea Pond areas have increased considerably.  With their population increase, several concerns have been identified by staff and visitors of the sites such as:

1.     Water quality decline to both surface waters such as smell and algal problems,

2.     Damage to native plants,

3.   Diseases transmitted between the Muscovy ducks and native duck species,

4.     Aggression by the Muscovy ducks toward humans,

5.  and continued maintenance by staff on the boardwalks and amenities.

Ms. Dana Gaydos, Principal and Senior Environmental Scientist of Gaydos Hydro Services is present tonight to discuss the study and answer questions City Council may have.