A small news item on News24.Com in August briefly mentioned a controversy surrounding a festival on the Spanish island of Majorca that involves the throwing of live ducks. A Google search turned up the following account of the Fiesta of the Ducks,
In spite of the high temperatures and the rumours of denunciations, fines and sanctions this illegal fiesta attracted around 3000 people, year after year, the Conselleria d Agricultura i Pesca of the Government warns the town hall of Santa Margalida that it is prohibited to celebrate this fiesta, but the town hall goes ahead prepared to pay any fines, last year cost the municipal treasury 3.000 euros.
Shortly after noon, five boats holding 350 ducks dropped anchor in front of the hotel Sol y Mar and released the ducks, the idea then is that swimmers take to the sea and try to capture the ducks as trophies.
The ducks are not harmed in this event, most are captured and then released at the Torrent de Son Baulo, some escape and fly away to freedom – and some – have been known to occasionally finish up in a casserole
According to the News24.Com account,
Animal rights campaigners have long criticised the tradition. Mayor Antoni del Olmo defended it, saying it was more than 100 years old.
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Bizarre.
Source:
‘Ducking’ the issue. News24.Com, August 16, 2005.