“[She] carefully watched me from a safe distance.”
When Marin Humane received an urgent call about a family of ducklings trapped in a storm drain, they swiftly dispatched an officer to the scene. Officer Cimmiyott arrived to find a determined and anxious mama duck.
This devoted mother had stationed herself by the drain, vigilantly observing anyone who came near, as if pleading for help. Though she was wary of Officer Cimmiyott as he approached the drain, it was clear she sensed he was there to assist.
“Mama duck was understandably stressed about being separated from her ducklings,” Officer Cimmiyott explained. “As I worked to rescue her babies, she kept a close watch from a safe distance, all the while calling out to her ducklings to reassure them that she was still there.”
The rescue proved to be more challenging than it first appeared. Cimmiyott had to carefully lift the storm drain cover without alarming the mama duck or risking the safety of her babies. If he startled her, she might flee, leaving the ducklings stranded or causing them to wander into the various pipes leading away from the drain.
Once the cover was removed, Cimmiyott gently gathered the ducklings one by one, making sure not to frighten the remaining ones. Throughout the operation, Mama duck remained a vigilant presence, watching every move until all her ducklings were safely rescued.
“Mama duck was such an attentive mother,” Cimmiyott remarked. “She stayed close during the whole rescue and continued to communicate with her babies, ensuring they knew exactly where to find her once they were out of the storm drain.”
Cimmiyott meticulously double and triple-checked to ensure no ducklings were left behind in the drain. After confirming all the babies were accounted for, he guided them back to their mother, and the reunited family continued on their way.
“Thankfully, all the ducklings emerged from the storm drain unscathed and were able to rejoin their mom,” Cimmiyott said. “Once reunited, the family made their way to a nearby marsh, where they were safe and away from the dangers of the road.”