A crew from the Nanaimo Fire Rescue took part in a different type of rescue than is typical — coming to the aid of a family of ducks.
Assistant fire chief John MacKenzie said the department’s Engine 3 crew were called out on Wednesday, May 20 at about 9 a.m. to Linley Valley Drive where nine ducklings had fallen into a storm drain on the side of the road.
He said the mother duck walked across the grate of the storm drain, but when the small ducklings attempted to follow after her, all of them fell through the grate.
“The storm drain was full of water, which was a good thing because if the water was a little lower, the ducklings might have flowed down into the pipes,” MacKenzie said.
“Someone was walking by and heard the ducklings making noise in the drain while the mother was standing by, and the bystander called us for help.”
MacKenzie said the fire crew lifted the grate off the drain and brought the ducklings, who were all grouped together, up from the drain using a scooping bucket.
He said when all nine ducklings were rescued, they were reunited with their mom who then led her little ones back toward the forest.
MacKenzie said this is the first time that he can recall in his 15 years working as a firefighter in Nanaimo that fire crews were called upon to rescue ducklings.
“We’ve dealt with dogs stuck in pipes, bear cubs in trees and other such things, but this was a first for us,” he said.
“We’re always prepared for anything.”
On the same day, the B.C. SPCA issued a news release, urging people to give nesting ducks and geese ample space, and never feed them, as now is the time the two species will be seen with babies in tow.
According to the organization, once duck and goose babies hatch, the family will leave the nest and head straight to a nearby water source. Some challenging situations may arise if there are obstacles in the way, such as busy roads, high buildings, or pools. More challenges may happen if the nest site is in an enclosed area such as a walled courtyard.
If a situation arises, the B.C. SPCA recommends people contact their local wildlife rehabilitator or call the SPCA Animal Helpline at 1-855-622-7722.