A waterway near Palm Beach Boulevard in Papamoa “lost its character” after an animal cruelty incident harmed Muscovy and Pekin ducks, a resident claims.

On Monday, March 3, Kathy de Villers saw one of the Muscovys with tape on its back and attempted to rescue the animal.

“There was something stuck on his back. So as soon as he came to me, I grabbed the tape that was there,” de Villers said.

Most of its were missing, and a wing was broken.

De Villers took the duck inside and placed it in a blue box for safety, she said.

“We were planning to take him the next day to the vet, but by the morning, he was dead,” she said.

Along with the male Muscovy that died, another two females had gone missing from the waterway, according to de Villers.

The last time the females were seen was around February 25, she said.

The disappearance of the ducks meant that the neighbourhood has changed, according to de Villiers.

“It’s [the neighbourhood] just lost its character.”

The male Muscovy duck getting a pat from a Papamoa resident.

The Muscovy were so friendly that they would often walk up to people around the waterway, allowing people to pat them.

SPCA national inspectorate manager Alan Wilson said in an email that any suspected animal cruelty can be reported to the SPCA by calling 0800 77 22 69.

“This is the most direct way to report animal abuse or neglect incidents,” Wilson said.

For most cases involving injured or sick animals, the SPCA recommends contacting the Tauranga SPCA Centre at 43 Alach St, Gate Pa.

“Additionally, we always recommend consulting a local veterinarian for any severely injured wildlife, as they are obligated to provide care at no cost to the public,” Wilson said.

For more information, please visit Advice & welfare: What to do if you find an injured bird or fledgling?