“It’s what they remember” ❤️ Amid the hustle and bustle of downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a pair of orphaned merganser ducklings were recently found wandering the streets in search of safety. A concerned onlooker noticed the little puffballs stumbling around and quickly contacted local rescuers for assistance. Soon, the ducklings were comfortably resting on a blanket at Raven Ridge Wildlife Center.
Knowledgeable animal rehabbers wanted to ensure the ducklings felt as comfortable as possible. They knew just what to do — they reached for a feather duster.
“The feather duster mimics their mother’s feathers and, placed in a warm incubator, allows the ducklings to nuzzle and snuggle under the feathers, providing them with a sense of security,” Raven Ridge wrote in a Facebook post.
According to rehabilitator Tracie Young, the ducklings clearly appreciate the comforting tool.
“They love nestling in there,” Young said. “They feel like they’re hiding. Nobody can see them. It’s what they remember, you know, being with Mom.”
These ducklings will continue living at Raven Ridge until they’re old enough to be released back into the wild. Young is grateful to have a front-row seat to view their growth, especially since these are the first merganser duckling siblings the rescue has ever housed.
“It’s going to be exciting to watch how they develop,” Young said.
As the days pass, these sibling ducklings edge closer to their natural habitat. But for now, the feather duster stands as their guardian, cocooning them in safety and warmth until they spread their wings once more.