Duck bill for repairs hits $500k

The remaining giant rubber duck left Victoria Harbour yesterday, one week earlier than planned, partly due to repair fees costing organizers HK$500,000, sources said.

Organized by local creative brand AllRightsReserved, the Double Ducks exhibition by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman took nearly nine months to prepare and was planned to be on display for two weeks, said ARR founder Lam Shu-kam, adding that organizing the exhibition was expensive.

"It costs several millions of Hong Kong dollars to display the ducks, [which is as expensive as] buying a number of flats," he said.

Without funds from the government, Lam endeavored to get Prudential as their lead sponsor, in addition to CSL Mobile, Ngong Ping 360, VSFG, ZA Bank, as well as support from the Hong Kong Tourism Board and MTR Corporation.

Apart from the two ducks floating on the Victoria Harbour, there was also the cost of promotions - including the Prudential Double Ducks 3D animation in Tsim Sha Tsui, CSL Double Ducks SIM cards, Ngong Ping 360 flying Double Ducks cable car, Double Ducks digital art collectibles on ZA BANK and VSFG platforms, Double Ducks-themed MTR stations, as well as the duck-themed Star Ferry and tram.

"It is because of the sponsorships from commercial organizations alongside assistance from relevant government departments that we were able to achieve this event and bring happiness to Hong Kong people after the pandemic," Lam said. Further announcements will be made "once there is any news" regarding the ducks' next destination.

After the 10-day exhibition along the Victoria Harbour, one of the ducks was fully deflated and collected at 7pm on Sunday, while the other remained on show until yesterday afternoon.

Citizens grabbed the chance to say goodbye to the remaining giant rubber duck despite the rain, before it was deflated in the afternoon and left the sea off Wan Chai with its companion by boat.

One citizen brought his own series of minion rubber ducks to take photographs with the giant duck, adding that he hoped to see the giant pair again soon.

Hofman's giant rubber ducks had been displayed in Hong Kong since June 9, attracting hundreds of thousands of residents and tourists to the scene to take selfies at the Central Harbourfront.

While a Facebook page - Rubber Duck - created by fans has been consistently posting updates with the latest rubber duck news.