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CHICAGO — Neighbors will clean up a stretch of the Chicago River Saturday in honor of Ringo the Duck.
Ringo, the mallard duck whose head was trapped in a plastic six-pack holder, first gained attention earlier this month when resident Holly Swyers posted his photo on Facebook. Locals set out to help him, using boats and nets to try and catch the duck.
But the rescuers were unable to grab and free Ringo, who hasn’t been seen in several weeks.
RELATED: Duck With Plastic 6-Pack Holder Around Its Head Eludes Army Of Rescuers On North Branch Of Chicago River
In Ringo’s honor, neighbors now plan to clean up and remove litter from the area to protect wildlife. The event is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at the Horner Park Nature Area.
“The areas near and under the Montrose bridge have become a hazard for our wildlife,” a Facebook post for the event reads.
The curve of the waterflow around the North Shore Channel and North Branch creates natural eddies that collect litter under bridges, seawall areas and small bends, said Margaret Frisbie, executive director of Friends of the Chicago River.
Last fall, Friends of the Chicago River began collecting data about the locations, movement and type of litter that pollutes the waterway. Wrappers, plastic bags, disposable packaging and bottles were the most common types of trash found.
“This litter is devastating to wildlife and a deterrent to people — and as development continues it will only increase,” she said. “We all need to do a better job at working to keep trash out of the river.”
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