Antone's Nightclub
Shouldn't the Animals There Be Protected?
RECEIVED Wed., Oct. 10, 2007
Dear Editor,
Lindshire Park has a pond and is located in Tanglewood Forest. According to a sign posted there, this park is designated a wildlife preserve. Its residents are primarily ducks and geese of several different breeds. The Tanglewood Forest Limited District board of directors (Real Manage Corp.) had decided to dredge the pond to remove accumulated debris. I was able to meet with their manager and members of the hired construction team. The contractors described what would happen. The pond will be dredged and completely drained, removing the debris to an area of the greenbelt behind our houses. This process was described as taking six to eight weeks. Once dredging is complete, there are no provisions to refill the pond; they will rely on rain and runoff to do the job. This could take months. When asked of their plans to accommodate the birds losing their habitat for such a period of time, their response was that they would probably fly away, maybe to return. I questioned if they had even consulted with an environmentalist; there was no response, leaving me to believe they have little concern for the birds’ welfare. This seems rather heartless; most of these ducks and geese have lived there for their whole lives. What's more disturbing is that many of these birds are not even able to fly. The pond serves not only as a main source of food but also as a place of protection, allowing them to escape nightly predators.
Lindshire Park with its wildlife preserve has served as a source of enjoyment for many South Austin residents. It is commonplace to see whole families come to watch and interact with the ducks, geese, turtles, and other wildlife. These birds are to a certain extent semidomesticated and have become accustomed to human care and kindness. If a sign designates an area as a wildlife preserve, shouldn't the animals there be protected or at least considered. Am I wrong in assuming this? Can you help my waterfowl friends?
Lindshire Park has a pond and is located in Tanglewood Forest. According to a sign posted there, this park is designated a wildlife preserve. Its residents are primarily ducks and geese of several different breeds. The Tanglewood Forest Limited District board of directors (Real Manage Corp.) had decided to dredge the pond to remove accumulated debris. I was able to meet with their manager and members of the hired construction team. The contractors described what would happen. The pond will be dredged and completely drained, removing the debris to an area of the greenbelt behind our houses. This process was described as taking six to eight weeks. Once dredging is complete, there are no provisions to refill the pond; they will rely on rain and runoff to do the job. This could take months. When asked of their plans to accommodate the birds losing their habitat for such a period of time, their response was that they would probably fly away, maybe to return. I questioned if they had even consulted with an environmentalist; there was no response, leaving me to believe they have little concern for the birds’ welfare. This seems rather heartless; most of these ducks and geese have lived there for their whole lives. What's more disturbing is that many of these birds are not even able to fly. The pond serves not only as a main source of food but also as a place of protection, allowing them to escape nightly predators.
Lindshire Park with its wildlife preserve has served as a source of enjoyment for many South Austin residents. It is commonplace to see whole families come to watch and interact with the ducks, geese, turtles, and other wildlife. These birds are to a certain extent semidomesticated and have become accustomed to human care and kindness. If a sign designates an area as a wildlife preserve, shouldn't the animals there be protected or at least considered. Am I wrong in assuming this? Can you help my waterfowl friends?
Sincerely,
Denise Asmus
Denise Asmus