I've seen him in his territory over the last few years - sitting out on the water, diving every now and then and reappearing in another place not far away. He was very watchful and observed all around him including the walkers, other birds, dogs on the shore.

Musk ducks are a very intelligent species. I can vouch for this as I have witnessed the development of several orphan chicks, as my daughter (a registered Wildlife Vic carer) rescued them and reared them to adulthood.

The three she has rescued were all chicks orphaned at Lake Wendouree. There is not a lot of scientific data about Musk Ducks. Wildlife carers and interested veterinarians are desperate to know more so that they can be protected from demise.

They are magnificent mysterious creatures, and it is known that they can live beyond 20 years! And that they have an amazing ability in sound mimicry.

On Monday morning I was devastated to find this beautiful duck squashed on Wendouree Parade. Horrifically injured he would have died instantly. The photos I have attached to this email (see below) graphically illustrate the horrific death.

I felt sick, despairing to see this magnificent bird squashed on the road. I was incredulous about how the driver let this occur, how the City of Ballarat refuses to intervene and help provide a safe home for our wildlife. Questions filled my mind - why didn't the driver slow down to allow the bird safe passage?

Why was the driver driving so fast they could disregard the duck's right to live and run over it? Why didn't the driver stop to check the bird? Why don't people in our community care for, treasure and want to protect our unique precious wildlife?

The bird's death is a tragedy. Council needs to show leadership in instigating and setting safety standards to protect our wildlife. Failure to act on council's behalf would be brutal and cruel and at the least negligent. Ignoring the significance of the death of this bird would be cruel and totally unintelligent.

Council needs to enter dialogue with community about providing protective measures to look after our wildlife. Traffic needs to be slowed significantly. Public needs to be shown by example and educated by signage and example about the preciousness of our wildlife and our responsibility to be stewards overseeing its safety and wellbeing. Any changes to the environment that will affect habitat need to be thoroughly investigated from the outset to ensure that any changes don't adversely affect our wildlife habitat and the ability for all lake wildlife to live happy, full safe lives, in the only home that they have.

We all owe it to this duck and other species to acknowledge the cruel and destructive impact our behaviour has on other species. We need to own our responsibility and act to protect so that this devastation doesn't continue. The beautiful duck will be missed by me and the many who delighted in seeing it as we walked along the path near your watery home at the south-west corner of Lake Wendouree.

Rose Dean, Ballarat East

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