‘Long Boi’ the celebrity duck vanishes at York University

Students have paid tribute on social media after becoming used to seeing the duck in his favourite spot near the campus lake.

One Instagram user, Susan Venton, said “there should be a Long Boi statue”, while another called for a “bronze statue” and a funeral.

Student Emily Maher said simply: “I’m dropping out.”

Meanwhile, Doe Bakehouse in York has made iced donuts decorated with the words “Long Boi”. The bakers said: “We want to quack the case but worry this may be the end.”

An Instagram account for a fellow York campus waterfowl, Gerald The Swan, paid tribute to “one of the sweetest, friendliest ducks on campus”.

A spokesman for the University of York said: “Long Boi is a much-loved character on campus and whilst we haven’t seen him around over the past few weeks, we continue to keep a lookout for him and hope to see him again, safe and well, soon.”

Animals have become popular additions to Britain’s universities, with the University of Cambridge having drafted in guinea pigs, a three-legged cat and several dogs to help students “relieve stress” during exam terms.

The University of Edinburgh also spent £600 on three “therapy” alpaca events in 2022, though some students said the experience left them feeling “more stressed”.