Lucky duckies saved after falling down Calgary storm drain
Eight fuzzy ducklings were rescued from a precarious situation on Friday, thanks to Calgary police and workers from the City of Calgary.
The ducklings had fallen through a private catch basin in the parking lot of the AutoClean Car Wash in Midnapore, and sat quacking at the bottom as their mother stood on the asphalt above, unable to help.
Andrea Stewart works in the nearby Midnapore Business Centre, which backs onto the parking lot, and says she and her colleagues rushed into action.
"One of our tenants came out at 9:30 a.m. to advise us that we had a problem that needed to be dealt with, and then informed us that he had just seen a mama duck and approximately 10 babies walking through the parking lot behind our building, and the babies fell down into the grate."
They called 311 and some local wildlife organizations while they stood over the drain to keep an eye on the ducklings in distress.
Calgary police were the first to arrive on scene, and were able to remove the grate.
Several ducklings that had become trapped in the Calgary community of Midnapore were rescued on Friday, June 2, 2023. "It took them a full 30 minutes to get the sewer grate lifted," said Jennifer Fraser, who works in the business centre.
It was determined there were eight ducklings stuck in the cavern, all of which were desperate to be reunited with their mother.
Luckily for the ducklings, the officer on scene actually had a background in biology.
"This officer, I think he knew exactly the right thing to do," Fraser said. "There had been a lot of onlookers crowding around and I think they were scaring the mom away, but once the officer arrived, he was able to encourage (the people) to sit back, let that mama come and call to her babies and I think that's what really did the trick."
The officer lowered himself into the slender drain, and was able to pick up one duck, placing it down in the parking lot and letting it race over to its mother.
Several ducklings that had become trapped in the Calgary community of Midnapore were rescued on Friday, June 2, 2023. The officer continued to save the stranded fowl, lifting five of the eight to safety, one by one.
"We were cheering –the whole waiting room upstairs was cheering – it was definitely a happy moment."
Several ducklings that had become trapped in the Calgary community of Midnapore were rescued on Friday, June 2, 2023. The remaining three ducklings proved more difficult to liberate, as they continued to run into a pipe connected to the basin, away from their would-be rescuers.
Several ducklings that had become trapped in the Calgary community of Midnapore were rescued on Friday, June 2, 2023. Eventually, workers from the City of Calgary's water services department were able to get the final three ducklings to freedom at around 2:30 p.m., roughly five hours after the ordeal began.
Several ducklings that had become trapped in the Calgary community of Midnapore were rescued on Friday, June 2, 2023.
At that point, the mother duck was nowhere to be found, but a citizen volunteered to take the duckings to a local wildlife centre.
For more information on how to report abandoned, injured or orphaned wildlife, you can visit the City of Calgary's website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a ploy to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.