Posted: 02/01/2014
By: Angela Ledford
A wild visitor to the WPTV studio (click here) may have been hoping to be a news anchor Ashleigh Walters' Valentine.
“Manny,” a Mandarin Duck from the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society, represents the Asian symbol of love and fidelity, because the pairs tend to stay together year after year, unlike most other species of waterfowl.
“Manny,” a Mandarin Duck from the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society, represents the Asian symbol of love and fidelity, because the pairs tend to stay together year after year, unlike most other species of waterfowl.
With the Zoo’s special celebration of DragonFest: Celebrate the Chinese New Year & Year of the Horse, “Manny” was a fitting guest.
But Maura Powers, Animal Trainer for the Zoo, suspected “Manny” was showing off when he caught sight of news anchor’s Ashleigh Walters. He began puffing up his head and feathers!
“I’ve never seen him do that before,” said Powers. “In the years we’ve been training him, he has never shown that behavior.”
The Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society hopes to educate the public that the Mandarin Duck has a local cousin that can be found in Florida, the Wood Duck....
Anyone speak duck? A duck whisperer maybe? Maybe they waddle in behind you as a sign of acceptance and love. I don't know, just guessing.
But Maura Powers, Animal Trainer for the Zoo, suspected “Manny” was showing off when he caught sight of news anchor’s Ashleigh Walters. He began puffing up his head and feathers!
“I’ve never seen him do that before,” said Powers. “In the years we’ve been training him, he has never shown that behavior.”
The Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society hopes to educate the public that the Mandarin Duck has a local cousin that can be found in Florida, the Wood Duck....
Anyone speak duck? A duck whisperer maybe? Maybe they waddle in behind you as a sign of acceptance and love. I don't know, just guessing.
