Art Lussi detailed a near-deadly encounter of a mink and a mallard that he witnessed this winter in a pond near downtown Lake Placid at Friday’s Adirondack Park Agency board meeting.

The APA board member said he likes sharing his personal experiences with nature at the meetings and found it interesting that a variety of animals were living and fighting for their lives within walking distance of downtown.

He was near the Sentinel Apartments, by the 16th hole at the Lake Placid Golf Club’s Mountain Golf Course in December, and he was clearing out a beaver dam from a culvert. Lussi said though it is great to see beavers damming waters and creating ponds so close to civilization, they have become a bit of a nuisance to the Department of Transportation for their culvert-clogging activities.

“I find it amazing that in the middle of Lake Placid, beaver have moved in,” Lussi said. “Somehow, nature has found its way to work in our backyard.”

Lussi said he feels this means the Agency’s conservation design has worked, successfully blending human living spaces with animal living spaces.

Lussi said as he cleared the culvert he heard a mallard flapping furiously. The other ducks around it took off and he could see the mallard had a mink gripping around its neck.

“The mink was attempting to drag the mallard underneath the ice,” Lussi said. “Now I’m seeing all of it, going ‘Do I let nature run its course and let the mink take the mallard under the ice? Or do I intervene? … I couldn’t help it.”

Lussi said he slapped the water, surprising the mink, which let go and dove under the ice.

The mallard didn’t leave though, as Lussi believes it was flustered.

“I’m going ‘Come on bird, get out of here,” Lussi said. “Because the mink is really bad news, it’s going to come get you again.”

After a bit the duck flew off again. Lussi said this all took place less than a quarter mile from downtown Lake Placid.

“I always just thought mink ate mice, fish or mussels,” Lussi said. “I was fascinated that it would go after a duck.”

He said the culverts have been fitted with “beaver deceiver” fences, to keep them from damming the structure. Otherwise, he said someone would have to clean it out every day, as beavers are quick workers.