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Ducks gather along the Huron River in Ann Arbor on Jan. 12, 2015. Seven mallards are dead after being struck and killed near Houghton Lake, according to officials with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

(Patrick Record | The Ann Arbor News)

ROSCOMMON COUNTY, MI — Conservation officers with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources are asking the public for information involving a number of ducks killed near Houghton Lake.

The birds are believed to have been killed during the annual Tip-Up Town celebration, authorities said.

All told, seven dead mallards were discovered near the Iroquois Street Bridge by two conservation officers on Sunday, Jan. 18, the DNR reports. Investigating the area, officers discovered an additional injured mallard, which they took to a nearby wildlife rehabilitation area for treatment.

Officers on scene noted the incident took place where a canal meets with the lake, a prime congregation area for ducks. A single set of snowmobile tracks was observed near the area, and officers believe the snowmobile may have struck the large group of ducks on Jan. 17.

Injuries observed on the dead birds were consistent with blunt force trauma, investigators confirmed. The surviving mallard is currently being treated for a broken wing and is being monitored in hopes of making a full recovery, the department noted.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the DNR's Report All Poaching Line at 1-800-292-7800 or via the online reporting form on the department's website. All reports can be made anonymously.

RJ Wolcott is a reporter for MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. Contact him at 616-970-8881, or by email at rwolcott@mlive.com