Bedford orders folks to quit feeding ducks, other wildlife

Ducks are off limits in Bedford. In fact, feeding all wildlife in city parks is now illegal.

“The ordinance is similar to those in other cities and state parks,” said Bedford Mayor Jim Griffin. “It is to educate visitors and not to interfere with nature.”

While the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department prohibits the feeding of wildlife at state parks, not all cities have such ordinances. In Fort Worth, for example, feeding ducks is a daily ritual at Trinity Park’s duck pond.

Cities outside of Tarrant County, including Addison Allen and Plano, share Bedford’s no-feeding policy.

The City Council recently voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance after people began giving the ducks and turtles at Boys Ranch Park bread, corn and other foods that officials say are not good for them.

Violators could be cited for a class C misdemeanor and face a fine of up to $500.

In early June, the city heard recommendations from Texas Parks and Wildlife urban biologist Sam Kieschnick, who explained that feeding wild animals results in unintended consequences such as a population too large for the lake to support.

Feeding can also cause health problems for the animals. For instance, an employee noticed a turtle that could not submerge in the water. The animal was taken to a veterinarian who determined that the turtle ate a large amount of corn and dog food.

The residents began their feeding campaign last summer after they said the city mishandled the relocation of ducks and turtles when the lake at the Boys Ranch Park was dredged. The duck-and-turtle advocates said that there was no food for the animals other than what they brought.

The lake was dredged as part of the $3.2 million phase one improvements to the park, which include fishing piers, a playground, picnic areas and a disc golf course.

During a specially called July 11 meeting, several council members said they wished that such an ordinance wasn’t necessary but that providing information and education wasn’t enough to stop people from feeding the ducks.

City spokeswoman Natalie Foster said signs were posted to inform residents that feeding the ducks and other wildlife would lead to overpopulation and other problems — but people still fed the animals.

“It is an unfortunate thing that we are passing a no-feeding ordinance,” said Councilman Roger Fisher. “I understand that it is a necessity,and I fully endorse the ordinance. Hopefully, we are putting this issue to rest.”

This report includes material from the Star-Telegram archives.

This story was originally published July 18, 2016 at 10:20 AM with the headline "Bedford orders folks to quit feeding ducks, other wildlife."