Thousands gathered to greet a giant rubber duck in Kaoshiung city, Taiwan, on Thursday, delighted to see the oversized toy despite worries an approaching typhoon might impede its progress.
Local news reports said the duck is expected to attract as many as 3 million visitors and to generate tens of millions of dollars.
The duck has traveled far and wide, bringing joy.
Florentijn Hofman of the Netherlands created the “Rubber Duck” project. The duck has been to Sydney, Sao Paulo, Amsterdam, Osaka, and other places. It floated through Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong in May.
Hofman says that the duck “knows no frontiers, it doesn’t discriminate people and doesn’t have a political connotation,” according to his website.
“The friendly, floating Rubber Duck has healing properties: it can relieve … tensions. … The rubber duck is soft, friendly and suitable for all ages!” the site added.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
