About a week ago, we got a telephone call from someone that had been trying to get 5 very small mallard ducklings out of a sewer drain. They were so small, they fell through the holes in the grating. After trying for several hours, they called us to help.
Eileen and her rescue helper/husband, Tom, appeared at the scene with a few nets and a carrier. Pretty quickly, we heard the peeping from below. Eileen checked it out and found 5 tiny ducklings, huddled in the corner.
Although not a very glamerous job, it turned out to not really be that complicated. Lying down with net in hand, Eileen scooped one by one out. The hose in the photo was used to keep the ducklings away from the tunnel in the sewar that ran throughout the sewar system; if the ducklings got in there, they would be out of reach, having access throughout the entire neighborhood.
Of course, as it went on, the latter ones were quicker at getting away.
Eventually, all 5 were safely out of the sewer. Unfortunately, their mom who dutifully stayed by their side for most of the day, had moved on with her other babies. We alerted the homeowner and neighbors to keep an eye out for her so that we could reunite them, but she wasn't spotted again.
So for now, they will grow up at our center. With a healthy fear of humans already instilled in them, once they grow up they will be released back to the
wild.
Of course, as it went on, the latter ones were quicker at getting away.
Eventually, all 5 were safely out of the sewer. Unfortunately, their mom who dutifully stayed by their side for most of the day, had moved on with her other babies. We alerted the homeowner and neighbors to keep an eye out for her so that we could reunite them, but she wasn't spotted again.
So for now, they will grow up at our center. With a healthy fear of humans already instilled in them, once they grow up they will be released back to the
wild.
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