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.
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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.
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