April 1, 2024
Leah Crowley
Erna the duck with West Place Animal Sanctuary founder and director Wendy Taylor.
TIVERTON, R.I. (WPRI) — When West Place Animal Sanctuary was established in 2007, Erna the Crested Pekin duck was there.
The beloved bird is one of the Tiverton sanctuary’s original farm animal rescues.
Staff and volunteers celebrated Erna’s 17th birthday on Sunday, a major milestone considering her species has an average lifespan of 8 to 12 years.
“Since starting West Place in 2007, there hasn’t been a day without Erna,” said West Place executive director Wendy Taylor.
During the spring and summer months, Erna is known for being an excellent “foster mom.” The sanctuary said she’s raised hundreds of baby birds over the years, including ducklings, goslings and chicks.
“She is an incredibly special duck, and her motherly instincts have helped us save lives and raise orphaned birds at the sanctuary,” Taylor explained.
There was singing, decorations and a cake topped with blueberries (Erna’s favorite) at the birthday celebration.
“She has given the humans and the animals of West Place so much and in turn, West Place has given Erna the greatest gift of all – the opportunity to grow old,” Taylor said.
Erna the duck (right) celebrated her 17th birthday on March 31, 2024.
Erna the duck celebrated her 17th birthday on March 31, 2024.
Erna the duck celebrated her 17th birthday on March 31, 2024. (Courtesy: West Place Animal Sanctuary)
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