December 16, 2020, by Communications
Checking Up on the Duck Inn
The Nottingham ducks of the University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM), have been residents of the UNM lake since their arrival in 2015. In July 2020, the project of building their own lighted floating house, aptly named the Duck Inn was completed.
This enclosure was an initiative taken on by UNM’s Director of Campus Services Nicholas Ching, to ensure our feathered companions have a safe place to stay.
“In the past, we found the duck and goose population decreasing over time. They may have wandered too far or were caught by our resident monitor lizards. The Duck Inn was constructed to provide greater safety. By adding nesting boxes within Duck Inn, they now have a proper place to lay their eggs. Unfortunately, the eggs seemed to disappear on their own, and we have yet to see an egg hatching into a duckling, which is one of my dreams,” he said.
Aside from beds and protection, the Duck Inn also ensures that the ducks are safe at night, with its own solar powered lighting, as ducks cannot see very well in the dark.
In July, the Duck Inn welcomed its youngest residents- a nest of eight ducklings raised and donated by Jessica and Vivian, who are both Doctors of Veterinary Medicine.
Jessica and Vivian who donated the ducks
To ensure the health and happiness of our beloved ducks are preserved, Nicholas advised us on how we were to treat the ducks.
“Do not chase or walk too fast when approaching them. It’s best to keep a distance of at least three metres. Avoid feeding the ducks as we already provide them suitable duck feed twice a day.”
While the Duck Inn is complete for now, Nicholas expressed that they are making arrangements to upgrade it by extending the fenced enclosure and he expressed that the University may also consider adding a few swans to the family.
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