Ducklings rescued from Kitchener sewer
A pair of ducklings are safe and sound after being rescued from a sewer by Kitchener staff.
Natalie Lyon was on shift Wednesday morning when a coworker heard noises coming from a nearby sewer gate. When she looked inside, she found two baby ducklings trapped underground.
“The mother duck was just kind of roaming around,” said Lyon.
Luckily, a group of bylaw officers were able to manually open the grate and free the two siblings.
“We just reached our hands in and pulled them up. You could tell that they were super happy to be reunited,” said Lyon.
Video shows the family being reunited.
Once the mother had everyone accounted for, city staff gave the reunited family a safe escort to Victoria Park.
Viewer video shows Kitchener bylaw reaching in to grab the ducklings. (Submitted Eric Grimes)
Common occurrence
According to Hobbitstee Wildlife Refuge, it is unfortunately common for ducklings to be stuck in sewers.
“The adults walk cross it and they do fine and the little ones walk across it and they fall through the gaps. So it’s a fairly common occurrence,” said wildlife custodian Chantal Theijn.
Experts said if a duckling is trapped, the mother will stay with it until she needs to start worrying about the rest of the flock.
If you come across a wild animal trapped under a grate, Hobbitstee suggested calling city staff immediately and take the proper precautions to save to the animal.
“If it’s roadside or on the road you have to be careful for traffic. Obviously, when you lift the sewer grate there’s always a risk of somebody falling in, stepping in, so all those logical cautions are in place. The duck parents really just want their babies back,” said Theijn.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING 122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
Miller scores late as Canucks grind out 3-2 win over Oilers in Game 5
J.T. Miller scored in the final minute of the game and the Vancouver Canucks came back for a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Thursday.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Police issue Canada-wide warrant for Regina homicide suspect
Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man wanted in a homicide which occurred in Regina on May 12.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Kevin Spacey receives star support as he fights to get his career back
Kevin Spacey is pushing back on the 'rush to judgment' against him and is being backed by some big names as he seeks to reclaim his acting career.
Speaker cuts ties with Sask. Party, alleges he faced threats, harassment from gov't MLAs
The Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature Randy Weekes has severed ties with the Sask. Party after accusing some members of harassment and intimidation tactics, including a situation he claimed saw the Government House Leader bring a hunting rifle to the legislative building.