VENICE | FINE OF 400 EUROS TO THE RETIRED MAN WHO DEFENDS THE DUCKS FROM SEAGULLS – ANTENNA TRE
15/11/2021 VENICE – The story of the Venetian pensioner fined over 400 euros by the local lagoon police for having rescued the ducks from the clutches of the seagulls is arousing much solidarity and emotion || It all started from here, indeed from them. From the ducks, more from the unconditional love for their protection than Roberto Mazzoleni, a 78-year-old retiree from Venice, was fined 416 euros and 80 cents by the municipal police. The situation? Violation of the regulation of environmental hygiene and urban police. In short, fined because he treats and takes care of the chicks of mallards and wild ducks to save them from the ravenous clutches of the seagulls, true predators of eggs and exterminators, as mentioned, of chicks. And it is not enough that in order to feed them, Mr. Roberto goes to buy grain-based food up to Sant’Erasmo, the only Venetian retailer of the 112 islands and islets of the lagoon, the sanction because considered as the owner and guardian of the papers although he has several times specified not to be, he says. Now Roberto will appeal through a lawyer. A thick white beard with a look that is so reminiscent of Heidi’s famous grandfather from cartoons, and which here in Santa Marta has earned him the nickname of grandfather of ducks. Former hauler at the port of Venice, in these hours many people are showing solidarity with him by also creating a collection to help him meet the expenses he is forced to. Here in Venice, ducks are admired on a par with his architectural and landscape photographs, which are now an integral part of the city. We remember World Heritage of Humanity which as such must be made accessible and protected. – Interviewees ROBERTO MAZZOLENI (MULTIPLE RETIRED) (Report by Annamaria Parisi)