South African vineyard’s duck parade doubles as pest control

In this photo taken on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016, ducks make their way to a vineyard at the Vergenoegd wine estate on the outskirts of Stellenbosch, South Africa, This wine farm is winning praise from environmentalists for using Indian runner ducks instead of chemicals to eradicate pests like snails and bugs from its vineyards. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam) In this photo taken on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016, ducks make their way to a vineyard at the Vergenoegd wine estate on the outskirts of Stellenbosch, South Africa, This wine farm is winning praise from environmentalists for using Indian runner ducks instead of chemicals to eradicate pests like snails and bugs from its vineyards. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam)

By Associated Press August 17, 2016 2 min read

STELLENBOSCH, South Africa (AP) – The quacking is soft at first amid the vineyards that roll for miles in this South African wine-making town.

But then the duck handlers whistle and wave their white flags, and the noise reaches a crescendo. All 1,071 ducks huddle at the gate that separates them from the vineyards.

It’s time to go to work, and the daily duck parade is about to start.

This wine farm is winning praise from environmentalists for using Indian runner ducks instead of chemicals to eradicate pests like snails and bugs from its vineyards.

The duck parade is also a colorful affair that attracts tourists.