Install Barrier to Protect Ducklings at Roundhay Park.
Install Barrier to Protect Ducklings at Roundhay Park.
The Issue
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I often take my two little girls to visit the beautiful Waterloo Lake in Roundhay Park. However, since discovering two ducklings trapped down the weir a few weeks ago, (the RSPCA thankfully managed to save one), they now always look for ducklings to see if they are in danger. Last week when we visited, there were seven newly-born ducklings trapped down there, and no one was able to come out to help them. The next day they were gone.
Ducklings are often led to the weir by their mother to get to food provided by park visitors. They frequently fall over the edge making it impossible to climb back on their own, and they don't survive more than a day or two. If they continue walking approximately 100 meters, they will go under a road and get to a small stream, but there is no pond or lake there, and their mother is isn't there to provide protection. Returning to Waterloo Lake means crossing a busy road and walking a long way across the park.
The RSPCA and Leeds City Council's Parks and Countryside department do their best, but their resources are stretched. They cannot intervene every time, and often, help arrives too late. It now seems a rather rare sight to see ducklings on Waterloo Lake. When I called Parks and Countryside last week, they said they have been getting calls about this regularly for over ten years. I cannot believe nothing has been done about this given that it is a common occurrence.
We are calling upon Leeds City Council to take proactive measures by installing a protective barrier at the weir. Such action promises a simple yet effective solution, preventing ducklings from an inadvertent fall and ensuring they are not separated from their mothers.
Join us in urging Leeds City Council to prioritize this issue and act urgently to preserve the vibrant life around Waterloo Lake. Please sign this petition to voice our collective concern and push for a compassionate resolution.
Sign now to help protect the ducklings of Waterloo Lake and support a humane measure for their safety and wellbeing.
1,196
The Issue
PLEASE USE FULL POSTCODE WHEN SIGNING. THANK YOU!
I often take my two little girls to visit the beautiful Waterloo Lake in Roundhay Park. However, since discovering two ducklings trapped down the weir a few weeks ago, (the RSPCA thankfully managed to save one), they now always look for ducklings to see if they are in danger. Last week when we visited, there were seven newly-born ducklings trapped down there, and no one was able to come out to help them. The next day they were gone.
Ducklings are often led to the weir by their mother to get to food provided by park visitors. They frequently fall over the edge making it impossible to climb back on their own, and they don't survive more than a day or two. If they continue walking approximately 100 meters, they will go under a road and get to a small stream, but there is no pond or lake there, and their mother is isn't there to provide protection. Returning to Waterloo Lake means crossing a busy road and walking a long way across the park.
The RSPCA and Leeds City Council's Parks and Countryside department do their best, but their resources are stretched. They cannot intervene every time, and often, help arrives too late. It now seems a rather rare sight to see ducklings on Waterloo Lake. When I called Parks and Countryside last week, they said they have been getting calls about this regularly for over ten years. I cannot believe nothing has been done about this given that it is a common occurrence.
We are calling upon Leeds City Council to take proactive measures by installing a protective barrier at the weir. Such action promises a simple yet effective solution, preventing ducklings from an inadvertent fall and ensuring they are not separated from their mothers.
Join us in urging Leeds City Council to prioritize this issue and act urgently to preserve the vibrant life around Waterloo Lake. Please sign this petition to voice our collective concern and push for a compassionate resolution.
Sign now to help protect the ducklings of Waterloo Lake and support a humane measure for their safety and wellbeing.
1,196
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Petition created on 23 June 2025