It's really quacking now

After a few quiet days without our duck (released), I got a call on Thursday from a lady rather frantic because there was a duck and her ducklings trying to cross over Main Nth Rd.  After a brief discussion, she explained there were two police officers with her, but neither of them really knew what to do next.  I explained the best thing she could do was keep them contained in the area safely until we got there.

Being new, I rang one of the more experinced duck carers, ... and the three of us verntured over to the GP Plus centre to assess the situation.

We got there to find a very scared mother duck, with all her babies huddled in a bush.  Sounds like an easy rescue right??  Noooo chance!  Within minutes of trying to catch her, mum took off and left her ducklings scrambling.  We did manage to capture all 14 babies :)   After a few attempts of us letting the babies call her, we moved over to Fremont Park and tried .... but finally had to accept she wasn't returning.

When rescuing a duck with ducklings it's important to catch mum first, as the ducklings will follow ... where as if you catch the ducklings first, mum will still abandon them if frightened.

The babies are now in my care, and I'll raise them for the next few weeks before handing them over to someone closer to release.  Unfortunately one died overnight, but the rest seem really healthy little things.

I'll keep photo's coming over the next couple of weeks as they grow :)

1 week old ...

Rehabilitated and Releasable = Perfect!

We decided this morning that our duck was indeed ready for release.  He's showed all the signs of being fit and healthy .... so we chose an area with connected ponds,and a few different varieties of ducks including the blacks.  I was over the moon... what a fantastic beginning to fauna rescue!!

We stayed for half hour, just to make sure he wasn't going to be attacked .... the others seemed happy enough with him doing his own thing though.

                               

                           

Casa Pato!

We've got gorgeous weather in Adelaide today.... so it was time to move the duck outside.  We haven't yet got an aviary set up due to delays with delivery.. therefore I had to think of something else to house the duck.  Best thought I could come up with was Mr 5's cubby house.... and I even borrowed one of his toy boxes to make a pond (shhh don't tell him lol)

He's been in and out of the water a few times, and seems happy enough

Feeling like the proud Mumma

I decided this morning after a chat with a local member to take the duck to the vet, just for the peace of mind if nothing else.  Not only did the vet say I'm doing everything correctly, she said he's just fine apart from a few grazes and a possible skin condition!  She also does wildlife consults for free :)

So ... we have a clever duck!  He's getting better in leaps and bounds, and today even gave a few quiet quacks when I went near him.  I was worried when I first came into doing this that the release would be hard and emotional, but I'm the complete opposite at the moment - I'm really looking forward to releasing him.  Sooking is still an option though right?

What a difference a day makes

They say the best things in life are free... and I can tell you one of the highlights of my day was something money couldn't buy.

Our duck is now eating by himself and taking a few steps!  He's really doing so well given it's only been a few days.  Today he seems to be able to move more freely, and I've given him a couple of opportunities during the day to have a stretch and walk if he felt like it     I've still got him in the same box with support both sides... but tonight as he fell after a few steps he managed to stand himself back up, so I'll move the supports further out a little more tomorrow.

I have spoken to some amazing people in the last few days, and I can definitely see how you get addicted to wildlife rescue!  For all the hard work there is heartbreak .... but then there are those animals that you have given a second chance at life.  That's an amazing feeling!

The journey begins!

In a buzz of excitement this morning as we prepared for Mr 5's very first sports day, the phone rang with our first wildlife rescue.  To say we weren't prepared is an understatement!!!   I'm not sure who was in bigger shock - me, Paul or the poor duck we were taking into care.  The rush was on..... what do we ask the person calling the bird in, what do we need, and what on earth are we supposed to do again??  Funny how even when things are crazy, they still fall into place.

This pacific black had apparently been hit by a car, and had spent the night in a washing basket before we received the call this morning.  The guy who cared for the duck overnight was advised by another agency he was doing the right thing by not giving it food or water so we didn't have a good head start.  With Paul bringing the duck home, it soon became apparent he was quiet... TOO QUIET!  He simply had no interest in fighting nor flying for that matter. I'm so grateful for the Fauna Rescue SA network being a huge support, they talked me through and explained he's most likely dehydrated, in shock and quite possibly got internal injuries.

Over the day he's improved slowly.... he's now drinking, has stood and supported his own weight for some time, even moving around a little.  We are certainly cheering for this little black duck, because we want to be telling you all about his future release!

Ironically the phone rang again a few hours later with a lady asking me to collect a magpie she has flying around her home.  I've passed that one on.... I think for day one I'll stick to one patient at a time LOL