[Vision2020] Duck Alive in Fridge Spooks Hunter's Wife

[Tom Hansen]

>From today's (January 21, 2007) Spokesman Review -

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Duck alive in fridge spooks hunter's wife 
Associated Press 
January 21, 2007

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Neither gunfire nor two days in a refrigerator could
slay this duck.

When the wife of the hunter who shot it opened the refrigerator door, the
duck lifted its head, giving her a scare.

The man's wife "was going to check on the refrigerator because it hadn't
been working right and when she opened the door, it looked up at her," said
Laina Whipple, a receptionist at Killearn Animal Hospital. 

The 1-pound female ringneck ended up at Goose Creek Wildlife Sanctuary,
where it has been treated since Tuesday for wounds to its wing and leg.

Sanctuary veterinarian David Hale said it has about a 75 percent chance of
survival but probably won't ever be well enough to be released back into the
wild.

He said the duck, which has a low metabolism, could have survived in a big
enough refrigerator, especially if the door was opened and closed several
times. And he said he understands how the hunter thought the duck was dead.

"This duck is very passive," Hale said. "It's not like trying to pick up a
Muscovy at Lake Ella, where you put your life in your hands."

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Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving
safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in
sideways, chocolate in one hand, a drink in the other, body thoroughly used
up, totally worn out and screaming 'WOO HOO. What a ride!'"