Fowl play? Giant HK duck drowns

(CNN) — Hong Kong’s favorite new resident, a giant inflatable duck, took a turn for the worse on Wednesday, looking less like an oversized lovable plaything and more like an unappetizing fried egg on the water.

The 16.5-meter (54 feet) inflatable sculpture mysteriously lost its mojo overnight, deflated and bobbed lifelessly in Victoria Harbour.

Organizers called an urgent duck crisis meeting early Wednesday and didn’t respond to questions about the misfortunes of the duck.

Not your everyday sight in Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour. A giant 16.5 meter (54 feet) inflatable duck, creatively called ‘Rubber Duck’ sails into town on Thursday.

The duck added a surreal touch to the city’s iconic skyline. No doubt those in the Central financial district found time in their busy days to post countless photos to social media taken from their high office perches.

The duck has visited 12 cities around the world, including Osaka, Sydney, Sao Paolo and Amsterdam.

The duck is the product of Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman. Hofman first conceived the idea in 2001. “It makes you feel young again,” Hofman says of the duck.

The duck “refers to your childhood when there was no stress or economic pressure, no worry about having to pay the rent,” says Hofman.

The duck is about six stories tall. It is hollow and air pumps work non-stop to keep the duck’s shape. Three huge anchors will hold the duck in place in the harbor.

The duck is on show at Tsim Sha Tsui, beside the Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, until June 9.

After Hong Kong, the duck will head to the United States, though exactly where won’t be revealed until about a week before floatation.

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Gallery: Floating into Hong Kong

Quacking up over art display

The duck has captivated Hong Kong since its arrival earlier this month. News of the duck’s deflation was splashed across Hong Kong media.

Called “Rubber Duck,” it’s the product of Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman. After going on show on May 2, it was to be on display until June 9.

Though it’s unclear what happened to the duck, the artist told CNN earlier that the duck was built locally so it would be easier to fix, referring to would-be attackers as “sculpture stormers.”

Hong Kong is the latest port of call for the duck. It’s previously taken up temporary residence in cities all over the world, including Osaka, Sydney, Sao Paolo and Amsterdam.

The duck hasn’t always enjoyed plain sailing. In 2009 during a port call in Belgium, it was stabbed more than 40 times by a vandal.

For more details on the duck during more festive times read our earlier report: Hong Kong crazy for giant duck

Freelancer Kate Whitehead contributed to this story.

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Fowl play? Giant HK duck drowns