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Citizens unite to save trapped ducklings

They might have been a bit stinky, but that didn’t matter at all to a mother duck
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Above ground: Nine ducklings who fell through a storm sewer grate are safe in a box before being released back to their mother. A group of Churches Thrift Store patrons worked together to remove the babies from the storm drain.

They might have been a bit stinky, but that didn’t matter at all to a mother duck, who was obviously relieved to get her babies back.

Last Monday, a group of people near the Churches Thrift Store witnessed a commotion involving a lot of peeping and a very distressed mallard.

Turns out nine ducklings had fallen through a grate and into the storm sewer. Bystanders tried to move the heavy metal, but it was welded down.

“It was so upsetting,” said Delors Caley, who was there with her son Michael. “That poor mama was beside herself and she couldn’t get to those babies. I think she realized we were trying to help. “

A small group of people pondered what to do next. Quickly, a fishing net was obtained from the thrift store and it was bent to allow it to go through the bars.

Kathleen Bell and her young son joined in the effort, holding a flashlight as the ducklings were netted and brought to the surface.

Soon all the babies were contained in a box, and to ensure none would end up back in the drain or hit on the road, the rescuers decided to take the ducklings over to Peter Jannink Park.

“There were a few tense moments when we weren’t sure if the mother duck flew off and we weren’t sure she was going to come for her babies, but back she came,” says Caley.

“We tipped the box and there she was back with them all. It was so sweet.”

Bell said the rescue also enhanced her faith in people.

“You know there’s so much disturbing stuff in the world, this was so nice,” she said.

“It was just a feel good day, and so good to meet and work together with other animal lovers too.”