Cause of duck deaths at Hulhudhoo park still unknown

The cause of the mass death of ducks and fish at the duck park in Hulhudhoo, Addu City, remains unknown a week after the incident was first reported.

Police confirmed on Saturday that investigations are ongoing, and samples are still being collected and analyzed. No arrests have been made so far, and authorities have not confirmed whether poisoning is suspected.

The incident came to public attention after a local resident, Jambe Sunrise, shared images of dead ducks and fish on Facebook, alleging that someone had poisoned the park’s water. Hulhudhoo councilor Hussain Faizu-Rahman told Sun that the deaths began on Thursday, initially affecting ducks and later spreading to fish. He echoed suspicions of deliberate contamination but noted that the council lacks the capacity to test for toxins.

Seven of the eight ducks housed in the park have died, and the remaining one is reportedly sick. The park, which opened two years ago, features bird houses and a pond that attracts ducks, pigeons, and colorful fish. It currently has no CCTV coverage, though the council is now considering installing cameras.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare said it is investigating the matter with relevant authorities. The Environment Ministry has not yet responded to requests for comment.