CITY FOCUS:Lucky is mostly ducky

Lucky, the mallard duck rescued last month with a 5-inch knife in its back, was released in good health from the Bolsa Chica Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center at Huntington Lake in Huntington Beach’s Central Park.

The young duck was barely old enough to fly when it was found 3 ½ weeks ago with the 5-inch blade of a pocket knife lodged in the left side of its upper back.

A 14-year-old Huntington Beach boy was arrested on suspicion of cruelty to animals following the stabbing.

Though he is now able to fly, Lucky “doesn’t particularly like to be around people,” said Debbie McGuire, director of the center. She said 35 other young ducks were released June 21 along with Lucky, all of which had been rescued after being displaced from their mothers and taken care of until they were able to fly.

A gathering of locals was at Huntington Lake for the ducks’ departure, along with California Department of Fish and Game Warden Larry Stevens, local public safety personnel and the person who found the injured duck May 27 and brought it to the center.

McGuire said the rescuer wished to remain anonymous.

The two children who came forward and provided information that led to the arrest in the case both received $500 rewards from the wildlife care center, but donated them back, McGuire said, adding it was a “pretty admirable thing for them to have that integrity to do.”

The Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center typically takes in 900 to 1,000 orphaned ducks at this time of year, McGuire said.