Rhode Island's oldest duck to be remembered with “Erna's Garden” | ABC6

TIVERTON, R.I. (WLNE) — West Place Animal Sanctuary is honoring Erna the Crested Pekin Duck, Rhode Island’s oldest-known duck who lived to be 17-and-a-half years old.

Erna was the sanctuary’s first rescue, and the last member of the original group of animals rescued in 2007.

The animal sanctuary plans to remember Erna at the entrance to the property, with a headstone and plants, titled “Erna’s Garden” once completed.

“We never really did anything special with this area, but we decided that Erna deserved something a little more than just a proper headstone,” Executive Director Wendy Taylor said. “We’ve been working on this for the past week or so, and we’ll continue to work on it until we finish.”

Taylor said Erna was more than just a rescue, but also a motherly figure to other animals at the sanctuary.

“I don’t think West Place would’ve been able to do what we’ve done all this time if it hadn’t been for her,” Taylor said. “Her fostering was in the hundreds, we stopped counting many years ago.”

Taylor described Erna as “spunky” and a “tomboy” as a younger duck, who grew with love through motherhood.

“When she got into her older years, that was when she had that old grandmotherly love to give,” Taylor said.  “That’s when all the other birds started taking care of her, it really was a full life cycle for her.”

Erna is survived by her daughter Sesame and nephew Duncan, who has the potential to pass Erna’s memorable age, coming up on 16-and-a-half years old.

Taylor told ABC 6 News that Crested Pekin Ducks usually live between eight to twelve years, which is why Erna’s age is so significant.

West Place Sanctuary is a finalist in the Land Rover Defender Service Awards, according to Taylor, who said anyone who wishes to support the organization can vote online.

“We were going to participate in this anyway,” Taylor said. “But once it started and we lost Erna, now we know we really need to win this in her honor.”