More than two dozen ducks found dead along the banks of Big Cottonwood Creek may have eaten rat poison, authorities say.
Salt Lake County Animal Control and state Division of Wildlife Resources officials were called by area residents after they found the birds' carcasses Wednesday afternoon.Sue Cooley, a Wyoming resident who is visiting relatives in the area, said she saw what appeared to be several "paralyzed" ducks floating downstream, flapping their wings but unable to lift their heads out of the water.
Animal Control Officer John Moore said about 13 dead birds were found in the area and several more probably were carried downstream.
The birds' remains were to be tested to determine the cause of death.
The State Bureau of Water Pollution Control also was notified to test for water contamination.
Apartment residents had recently complained of rats in the area and had asked health officials to deal with the problem. "The consensus is that they probably ate the poison," Moore said.
The ducks were part of a flock of almost 80 that made its home along the banks of Big Cottonwood Creek, said Reta Fletcher, who lives in the complex and buys extra bread every week to feed the birds.
"Parents are always bringing their children over to feed the ducks," she said. "I can't imagine someone wanting to hurt them."
Residents recently persuaded the county to post two yellow traffic signs - with a silhouette of a mother duck and two ducklings - along Murray-Holladay Road to keep motorists from speeding in the area.