ONE of Long Boi's duck friends known fondly as 'Chonky Boi' has sadly died, university newspaper York Vision has reported.

Chonky Boi, a slightly rotund Saxony duck who lived on the University of York campus, was put to sleep today after a fox attack.

In what one student described as a "heroic end", it is believed he was protecting his brood of ducklings. 

Journalist Iwan Stone, a former editor of York Vision, said: "He only came in about October, November time. He was supposed to be very shy coming in and very naturally got his way into the community and recently had ducklings so got a full integration into the society."

"It's sort of seen as a heroic end and very tragic - everyone's saying he was protecting his ducklings."

Reflecting on the role these ducks play in the wellbeing of students, he said: "It's quite symbiotic really, the relationship. It's definitely a resource for students to manage a good work-life balance.

"We've got the beautiful sections of the lake where it's very easy to completely get lost. They are a connection to nature."