What started as a harmless game has taken a disturbing turn aboard Carnival Cruise ships, as some passengers have turned the beloved rubber duck hide-and-seek tradition into a bizarre and controversial sport—real-life duck hunting.
Reports from recent voyages claim that groups of passengers have been spotted using food scraps to lure seabirds closer to the ship, only to chase, scare, and even attempt to capture them for “trophies” or social media stunts. Some guests say they’ve witnessed people throwing objects at the birds, while others are calling for cruise officials to step in before the situation escalates further.
Animal rights organizations and concerned citizens are now demanding action, warning that this reckless behavior could have serious consequences for wildlife and passenger safety. The question remains: How did this disturbing trend start, and why hasn’t it been stopped?