LUTZ, Fla. — The owner of two missing rare ducks in Lutz is hopeful for their safe return, and for the ducks' sake, maybe you can help reunite them with their female companions.
Caitlin Whiteside keeps goats, chickens, even an emu at her farm in Hillsborough County but it's her prized mandarin ducks for whom she has a special love.
“I mean they're just gorgeous, aren't they?” she says. “Everyone can appreciate them.”
The colorful drakes, or male ducks, are often called the most beautiful birds in the world. Like humans, they are mostly monogamous and sometimes keep the same mate year after year. Caitlin bought two pairs about a year ago; Bruce and Wayne, the drakes; and Thelma and Louise, the hens. Two happy couples — until two weeks ago.
“They were really bonded to each other as friends and really bonded to their mates, Thelma and Louise,” she says.
Whiteside says it happened like this. One night she was getting ready to feed the ducks and she had the back gate just a little too far open, she didn't close it. The mandarin men got out and came into a larger enclosure that actually opens up to the sky. That's when the ducks saw their chance and literally flew the coop.
“I just couldn't believe it,” she says. “I was like they both can't be gone!”
Caitlin immediately went to social media and made posts in her local Facebook and Nextdoor groups. So far, no ducks. Realizing Bruce and Wayne are likely gone for good, she was able to find two more drakes for Thelma and Louise but the ladies are not impressed with the replacements.
“We'll see how it goes over time unless the old males return,” she says.
Whiteside is now hoping someone who sees her plea might keep an eye out around any backyard pools or ponds for the two mandarins. If not for her, at least for the still-grieving lovers. And she has this advice:
“If you have a partner that you love and you respect, that you should keep 'em.” She says. “And make sure they don't fly away. Don't leave that back door open.”