Muskrat Love at Brooklyn Bridge Park

By on August 27, 2010 10:03 am in brooklyn bridge park, Video

Karl Junkersfeld discovers actual wildlife at Brooklyn Bridge Park and he names it “Dodger”.   Is this muskrat supposed to be there?  Has he been bused in or is he a native?  Anyone know?

And should we be cranking this song?

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18 Responses to Muskrat Love at Brooklyn Bridge Park

  1. Big Dave August 27, 2010 at 12:01 pm #

    No one has commented and I think Dodger deserves accolades for her/his being an intrepid explorer and possible homesteader. Much cuter than a Norway rat, BTW.

  2. Tony August 27, 2010 at 1:47 pm #

    Fantastic – I hope he’s regarded as an asset and not vermin. “Dodger” – works for me. i can already see the t-shirts, mugs, hats…

  3. AmyinBH August 27, 2010 at 3:14 pm #

    I think the city should sell the t-shirts etc. to help fund the park.

  4. GHB August 27, 2010 at 4:03 pm #

    How’d he get there, and can he survive in that salty water?

  5. Demonter August 27, 2010 at 4:05 pm #

    Muskrats are more akin to Beavers than to the urban Norway Brown Rat. They are aquatic and avoid interacting with humans as much as possible. Also, Muskrats don’t feed on garbage.

  6. bkre August 27, 2010 at 4:16 pm #

    That pond is actually rain water that is being filtered through those ponds to be re-used to irrigate the lawns at the park. Not salt water.

  7. nabeguy August 28, 2010 at 3:45 am #

    First off, can anyone explain to me what was up with the Captain? Secondly, I love the name “Dodger” but, in keeping with the baseball references and this site, wouldn’t “Homer” be a better moniker?

  8. ujh August 28, 2010 at 5:35 pm #

    Karl, fantastic discovery. I’ve also seen Mallard ducks, cormorans and one egret.

  9. GHB August 28, 2010 at 5:45 pm #

    bkre, thanks for the info!

  10. nabeguy August 28, 2010 at 7:02 pm #

    Does anyone know if these various species are being placed in the environment? Not that that would be a bad thing. but I’m trying to figure out how a muskrat and egret found their way to our neck of the urban woods.

  11. davoyager August 29, 2010 at 1:47 am #

    the gov’nr island ferry

  12. davoyager August 29, 2010 at 1:57 am #

    All those aquatic plants so lovingly placed there are like a salad to these guys. I’m sure the park people aren’t pleased to see this creature before abundant insect life has colonized this new piece of land to give this creature a food source other than their careful and no doubt expensive plantings.

  13. David on Middagh August 31, 2010 at 6:28 pm #

    Karl, thanks for this video report. Love the wildlife! I hope Dodger works out, and can stay.

  14. Gary September 7, 2010 at 9:18 am #

    My wife and I saw Dodger last night and it made my day. I’ve been hoping to see it since this was posted.

    As for where it came from, my best guess is he migrated down from the Bronx River area. As davoyager noted, I doubt they’d intentionally introduce something to eat the fresh plantings so soon. But it goes to show what a terrific job they did of creating an ecosystem here.

  15. Liz September 19, 2010 at 7:04 pm #

    I think Dodger had babies. We saw at least 3 maybe 4 little dudes in there tonight!

  16. hoppy September 19, 2010 at 7:10 pm #

    @Liz

    Oh here we go,

    Let me guess the names….Jackie, Duke, Pee Wee, Gil ?

  17. Claude Scales September 19, 2010 at 10:44 pm #

    If there’s a female, name it Hilda, for Hilda Chester.

  18. David G November 4, 2010 at 3:41 pm #

    following the baseball theme:

    If you build it, they will come!