Lucky duck! Winnipeg police step up to help orphaned duckling

WINNIPEG — They can fit in the palm of your hand and thanks to some kind Winnipeggers, a group of ducklings are lucky ducks.

“We actually received quite a large number of ducklings,” said Lisa Tretiak, with the Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.

Over the past few days 14 ducklings have been brought to the rescue organization. Seven of them were saved by bystanders along Kenaston Boulevard after their mother was hit by a vehicle.

“The babies were trying to get back to their mom in the middle of the road, so they managed to keep them off the road and called one of volunteers who was able to come with a box,” said Tretiak.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The babies were trying to get back to their mom in the middle of the road, so they managed to keep them off the road and called one of volunteers who was able to come with a box," said Tretiak.

Wednesday night six more ducklings were turned in. On Thursday morning, Winnipeg police officers found a little duck and called the organization.

“They are very difficult to foster to a wild mother which is what we would like to do,” Tretiak said. “Wild duck mothers can be a little more knowing of her own so it is difficult to add more ducklings unless she is what we call a super mom.”

The rescue group says gosling and ducklings have started to hatch around the city and is reminding people to be careful while driving. If someone comes across a lone duck without a mom there are a few things you can do.

“They can eat on their own but can’t keep themselves warm at night or protect from predators, so if they do spot one it is important they bring them into us,” said Tretiak.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "They can eat on their own but can't keep themselves warm at night or protect from predators, so if they do spot one it is important they bring them into us," said Tretiak.

“We can then amalgamate it with other babies of the same kind. A lot of time we have different ages and we will match them up with the proper ages so they form a group, they don’t get used to people and we can release them into the wild.”

Once the ducks are a few weeks old they will be taken to a marsh and released.

If you find gosling or duckling that is in need of help you can reach the Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre at 1-204-510-1855.