Sandy firefighters rescue ducklings that fell 10 feet in storm drain
SANDY, Utah (ABC4) — As the weather warms up, you might see little ducklings out on a walk following their mother, but sometimes, the ducklings might come across pathways that are difficult to navigate.
Sandy City Fire Department recently stepped in to help in a situation like this, posting about it on Instagram with the caption “it is duckling rescue season.”
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The department wrote that between the crew, an off-duty UPD officer and good Samaritans, 14 ducklings were rescued from falling 10 feet down in a storm drain and reunited with their mother.
“She was excited to have them rescued,” the post said.
Cpt. Joe Spicer with the Sandy City Fire Department said a bicyclist had been riding around Wasatch Boulevard when they noticed the mother duck hanging around the storm drain, prompting them to call for help.
Spicer said he’s seen situations like this several times, where the mother duck can walk safely across a storm drain, but her ducklings may fall in.
He said duckling rescues are a common occurrence in early spring, adding there have been two incidents like this in Sandy that he knows of so far this year.
Spicer said that while they carry equipment on their fire apparatus, this storm drain was so deep they couldn’t quite reach the ducklings with the net they had. Luckily, an off-duty officer nearby jumped into action, running to their house to quickly get a larger and longer net.
Spicer said it was great to see everyone come together for this family of ducks, and once mama got her ducklings back, they helped her cross the street and get to a safe area.
If you see a similar situation, Spicer said do not try to move the storm drain yourself. Instead, give non-emergency a call and they will come and help out.
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