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Melbourne Lake Turns Blood Red In A Supposed Bizarre Prank

The resident ducks don't seem to mind the non-toxic dye.
A bride poses alongside the red lake.
Simon Schulter / Fairfax Media
A bride poses alongside the red lake.

Melbourne's statley Carlton Gardens are looking decidedly ghoulish this weekend as the water of a duck pond and trickling fountain have mysteriously turned blood red.

The waters turned scarlet on Friday and The Age reported Melbourne City Council was draining the lake to replenish it with untainted water.

There's something in the water at Carlton gardens.
Jason South / Fairfax Media
There's something in the water at Carlton gardens.

Police confirmed the suspected prank has been reported while council said the dye was non toxic, so there was no concern for the pond's resident duck families.

In the meantime the lake has become an impromptu social media hit.

Not sure what's happening here #redpond #park #poorducks #spring #green #carltongardens

A photo posted by MarkyMan100 (@markyman100) on

Prank turns Carlton Gardens pond into crimson lake but richer hues won't last https://t.co/s8UAEnHFJxpic.twitter.com/wpuWHuu49j

— Melbourne (@MelbourneRR) September 23, 2016

Food colouring in the pond at #carltongardens 🤔

A photo posted by ASIA (@asiakwin) on

#carltongardens #filter #melbourne #melbourneiloveyou #photooftheday #love

A photo posted by sharna77 (@sharna77) on

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