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Wildlife Rescue 911 – A Frantic Mother Mallard In Garwood

Renee A. Thomaier

Retired New Jersey State Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator

It was an afternoon in August and the weather was hot and humid. I had just arrived home from work, changed my clothes and was ready to relax after my long day. No sooner did I sit down when the phone rang. It was a concerned resident calling about a mother mallard (duck) who realized her eight babies had disappeared down a storm drain. Once the young hatch they can feed themselves but need to find water sources, such as a pond, lake, or river. Getting there can be challenging due to their small size and varying landscape of roadways, curbs, cars, grass and whatever else they encounter.

I quickly got dressed and headed over to the site. Did I mention that this was during rush hour?! Upon arrival, I noticed a police officer had arrived to help maintain traffic flow. The mother mallard was actively letting us know her concern by quacking and pacing along the curb. Babies were peeping, huddled together at the bottom of the drainage space. Using my fishing net on a pole, I began scooping up as many babies at a time, bringing them up to the surface. Each time the net went down, the ducklings would move in unison, away from it.

The babies were reunited with their mother and the family quickly proceeded on their journey to water. I found out afterwards that the mother had laid her eggs underneath a shrub across the street from where the babies became trapped down the storm drain. They barely began their travel when fate took them down to the bottom of the storm drain. This is a common occurrence when waterfowl (in this case, ducklings) are navigating their way to water. I recall an earlier rescue I made when finding a single duckling on a residential lawn. Obviously, it was separated from its family while attempting to get to water. I retrieved the baby and took it to a local rehabilitation facility so it could be raised with others and properly released.

To reach me please call 732-244-2768.

It’s illegal to possess, relocate, or cause harm to wildlife for any reason. Managing wildlife without the proper state/federal permits is illegal. Violating laws protecting wildlife is punishable by law.

Hospice Volunteers Needed

OCEAN COUNTY – Compassionate Care Hospice/Amedisys needs volunteers interested in walking along side another. Requirements: compassion and a loving heart! There is training for you and you will become part of a team of professionals who walk this special journey with another. You will be able to give a patient companionship or a family member respite. If you are interested please call Kathleen O’Connell at 914-275-5766 or Kathleen.oconnell@ cchnet.net.