REGINA — Community members came together and saved seven ducklings in Regina last week.
The ducklings were walking with their mother at the University of Regina when they fell through the grating of a storm drain.
Bonnie Dell, executive director of Wildlife Rescue Society of Saskatchewan (WRSOS), said a bystander happened to witness the event.
“He started looking around the campus, and luckily, one of our volunteers who works at the U of R was able to assist.”
Dell explained the urgency for getting the ducklings out of the storm drain.
“When they get wet, they get chilled. This can kill them quite quickly.”
Dell also said ducklings can get swept away before a rescue event begins.
Luckily for the ducklings, multiple volunteers managed to rescue them from the storm drain.
The next step was reuniting the ducklings with their mother. Dell said the mother duck left because she had two other ducklings with her and wanted to make sure they found water.
Ducklings need to get to water shortly after they hatch, within 24 hours, said Dell. This is so they can begin to swim and eat.
Volunteers managed to reunite the other seven ducklings with their mom.
While these situations may seem rare, Dell said it happens more often than people think.
“We get a few calls about this a week around this time.”
Dell said this is because the mating season for ducks occurs around this time, as the mother duck tries to find water for her ducklings shortly after they’re hatched.
The WRSOS has spoken with the City of Regina regarding reducing grate openings.
“They have their reasons to use it, and there’s nothing to be done about it that we know of,” said Dell.
Anyone who witnesses a situation like this is encouraged to contact the WRSOS on their website.
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