The wind is too strong – the yellow rubber duck will definitely not “greet visitors” on the 4th; no date set for its return to the water

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The “duck” has turned into a “poached egg” again—but this time the duck wasn’t damaged, it was just deflated early by staff. And today (the 4th), with poor weather conditions, the Taoyuan County Cultural Affairs Bureau stated that the duck will definitely not be on display today, but the duck exhibition area remains open to the public.

▲ The Taoyuan yellow rubber duck unexpectedly deflated on the evening of the 3rd, turning back into a “poached egg.” (Photo / Provided by netizen Xiao Rui)

The original creator of the yellow rubber duck, Florentijn Hofman, insisted that the duck must return to the pond as soon as possible. The Taoyuan Cultural Affairs Bureau had originally planned to deflate the duck on the afternoon of the 3rd, but due to weather conditions, the operation was postponed. Later, the bureau announced that the deflation would take place at 5 a.m. on the 4th. But around 10 p.m., one of the blowers malfunctioned, causing the duck to partially deflate. Although there was a backup blower available, the workers decided that deflation was already scheduled, so they shut down the other blower as well, thus deflating the duck ahead of schedule.

The company Atmosphere, which made the duck, pointed out that inflating or deflating the duck can only be done in winds below force 4. Currently, local wind speeds are around force 6 to 7. The cultural affairs bureau stated that it is still uncertain when the duck will return to the water, but today’s wind conditions are still unsuitable for inflating the duck, so it will not be on display today.

The original Taoyuan duck, which previously exploded due to improper inflation, suffered severe “injuries.” With the end of its exhibition period in Taoyuan, it may not be repairable. The county government stated that the Kaohsiung duck will continue the exhibition until its conclusion.


▲ The duck was deflated early last night. (Photo / Provided by netizen Xiao Rui)

▲ No one knows when the yellow rubber duck will float back into the pond again. (Photo / Provided by Taoyuan County Cultural Affairs Bureau, archival image)