A man tried to dump eight domestic ducklings at the Highland Glen Park pond early Wednesday morning, and Lone Peak Police need the public's help identifying him.

A volunteer with Friends of Highland Glen Park Pond spotted the man attempting to release the ducklings at approximately 6:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 5, and intervened before the birds could be left behind, according to ABC4, which reported on a press release from Wasatch Wanderers, a Utah-based animal rescue organization. The suspect is described as a white male in his mid-20s. Surveillance footage captured a light-colored Kia Stinger, believed to be his vehicle, leaving the area.

The attempted abandonment came just one day after Wasatch Wanderers volunteers had finished removing all domestic ducks from that same pond. The cleanup effort had taken weeks.

All eight ducklings are safe. They have been placed with foster caregivers through Wasatch Wanderers.

"We are stretched thin and we are angry," said Adri Ballif, president of Wasatch Wanderers. "People need to understand that dumping domestic animals is not a humane option, it's a crime, and it's a death sentence for the animal. These ducklings can't survive in the wild. We were lucky someone was there to stop this one."

The rescue organization noted that domestic ducks lack the wariness and flight ability of wild waterfowl, leaving them unable to escape predators or compete for food on their own.

Under Utah Code § 76-9-301, abandoning a domestic animal is a class B misdemeanor if committed intentionally or knowingly, carrying potential jail time and fines. A reckless or criminally negligent violation is a class C misdemeanor.

Duck abandonment is not a new problem for the region. In late July, Wasatch Wanderers responded to three abandoned domestic ducks at Salem Pond after a call from Salem Police. The organization has worked with Salem City to install educational signage at that pond warning that animal abandonment is illegal.

Lone Peak Police are investigating the Highland Glen Park incident under case number 26AH03441. The department had not issued a public statement about the case as of Wednesday afternoon. Anyone with information is asked to call Lone Peak Police at (801) 756-9800 and reference that case number.

Wasatch Wanderers is seeking foster homes for ducks and other animals. Residents interested in helping can visit wasatchwanderers.org.