Ducks removed from Lynn University, then killed

BOCA RATON, Fla. - There are so ruffled feathers at Lynn University. The school is catching heat for removing ducks from the Boca Raton campus. 

Muscovy ducks used to roam free on campus, much to the entertainment of students. But the university hired a state-licensed trapper last month to remove the birds. That was enough to irk some students.

"I like the animals, it gave campus a homey feeling," says sophomore, Brandon Melendez.

Then to learn the ducks were killed was disturbing.

"How can the school do that to innocent animals? They angered a lot of students," says student Brian Datz.

"I don't like animals being killed in the first place, but they paid someone to do it and move them - I had no problem with them being here," says freshman Devin Green.

The school quickly released a statement on Facebook, saying it had no idea the trapper planned to destroy the ducks. Out of 26 birds, only 6 were taken to a preserve.

"They were blindsided by this and I feel they went through the proper channels, this was an unfortunate situation," says Jesse Kopp, a member of the Knights of the Round Table.

The university removed the ducks after several complaints that droppings were on table and chairs on the dining patio. Some agree the non-native birds needed to go.

"They ducks would come up and bite your ankles because they want your food, it's obnoxious, I'm ok with getting rid of them," says Melech Fogel.

Lynn University President Dr. Kevin Ross says he was equally upset about what happened to the ducks, calling it a 'terrible situation'. He adds there's a lesson to be learned in this, saying Lynn is in talks with conservation groups about how to reintroduce water fowl on campus in a sustainable way.