Effective 1 July 2004
68A-4.0052,
Possession and Release of Live Mallards-
This rule establishes caging requirements for live mallards and
allows possession of such only by permitted individuals.
Need for this rule
The purpose of this rule is to reduce hybridization,
or cross-breeding, between captive-reared (domestic) mallards and
Florida's wild, native mottled ducks.
Historically, mallards only occurred in Florida as wild,
migratory birds during the fall and winter months. These birds
migrate out of Florida to northern breed areas in the spring and so
are not present in Florida during the breeding season.
However, captive-reared mallards are being illegally
released by humans in large numbers in Florida, and these
feral birds remain in Florida year-round.
These year-round resident mallards are not part of Florida's
native wildlife, and, like most other exotic species, are causing
problems. These released mallards pair with mottled
ducks and the two species interbreed, resulting in hybrid
offspring. State biologists frequently observe mixed
flocks, mixed pairs, and the resulting hybrid
offspring. The hybrid offspring are fertile, which
further compounds the problem. Every mallard released in Florida
can potentially contribute to the hybridization problem. Because of
the relatively small size of the Florida mottled duck population,
complete hybridization of the population is a serious
concern. In fact, biologists list hybridization with
feral mallards as the biggest immediate threat to the conservation
of Florida's mottled duck.
The purpose of this rule is to (1) specifically prohibit the
possession of mallards other than by those persons appropriately permitted and
(2) to require caging in order to reduce accidental release and
interaction of captive mallards with wild waterfowl. Also, the rule
explicitly prohibits the release of mallards other than by licensed
hunting preserves, and for dog and raptor training and field
trials.
These new restrictions, combined with education and
public-relations efforts and enforcement, should greatly reduce the
number of captive-reared mallards released in Florida and their
threat to Florida's mottled duck population.
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