They knew just what to do ❤️
As a wildlife specialist with Eastern Virginia Wildlife Rescue, Shawnda Bentley has handled plenty of unusual animal rescues. But recently, she got a call about a particularly tricky situation at a nearby elementary school: 32 ducks were trapped in an unsafe spot and needed help getting to water.
Bentley knew exactly what the rescue would require.
It was time for a “duck walk.”
Ducks sometimes build nests in inconvenient places, including paved courtyards near schools or public buildings. Once the eggs hatch, the mother duck can fly away if she needs to, but her ducklings cannot. Since they are too young to fly, they can become stuck far from the water they need.
That is when rescuers step in and gently guide the duck family to a safer place.
This rescue, however, was not a normal duck walk. Usually, Bentley helps one mother duck and her babies. But at Kempsville Meadows Elementary, there were two mother ducks and 30 ducklings. The babies had mixed together, making the group larger and more complicated to move.
With help from other wildlife volunteers, parents, students and teachers, Bentley began guiding the ducks through the school. The rescuers used sheets to gently steer them in the right direction, creating a safe path as the little ducklings waddled down the hallways.
Once the group made it outside, the team continued leading them across the grass. Everyone stayed alert for possible dangers, including children, dogs, cars and open drains.
Finally, the ducks reached a nearby body of water.
For Bentley, the best part was watching the ducklings enter the water for the first time. The babies seemed excited as they finally reached the place they were meant to be.
After carefully guiding 32 ducks from the school to safety, Bentley felt the familiar joy that comes with a successful rescue. It was a difficult job, but seeing the duck families safe in the water made every step worth it.