DOMESTIC ducks are increasingly being illegally abandoned in Worcester, animal experts have warned.

Bishops Wood Environmental Centre now has 30 abandon ducks that have been rescued from around the county - the last four having been saved near the Diglis Hotel yesterday.

Edward Bird, who found the animals, as well as two sick swans, while walking by the river, said the quartet had their wings clipped so were even more vulnerable than usual.

A group of ducks was also found wandering down Langdale Drive, in Warndon, Worcester, last week.

"We have a problem at the moment with domestic ducks being dumped in Worcester," said Mr Bird, who works with the Bishops Wood centre, near Kidderminster.

"Sometimes people get them as cute and fluffy ducklings and don't realise how big they will get. Other times they are just released by farmers when they are no longer useful.

"People assume ducks will be fine if left in the water but it causes a lot of problems. It's no better than dumping a dog on the motorway."

Farmyard waterfowl cannot fend for themselves in the wild because they are used to being fed by hand and, as their water-proofing is often not as effective, they stay on land where they are easy prey for foxes and other predators.

"It's totally illegal to dump them," continued Mr Bird.

"Those we found were Muscovy ducks and they are much bigger than wild mallards, so need lots of food.

"Also, in the spring, the large male ducks can get quite boisterous and the females are often found quite badly injured.

"Some domestic ducks can survive in the wild but it is the exception, not the rule."

Muscovy ducks can grow up to 12 pounds in weight and can be a mix of many colours, including white, chocolate, black and blue.

Anyone who can offer a home to any of the animals should contact Sandy Lee at Bishops Wood centre on 01299 251678 or 07977 209547.