Near Pittsburgh, a firefighter's trip to Home Depot took an unexpected turn when he noticed a duck pacing beside a storm drain.
After stopping, he saw five ducklings were trapped below and got them safely back to their mother.
What happened?
The rescue began when North Fayette Township Volunteer Fire Department firefighter Matt Klein, who was out picking up supplies for a project, noticed a distressed duck near a storm grate, WTAE reported.
He discovered five ducklings in the drain and rescued two before the fire department arrived.
The rescue's toughest moment involved the last duckling. In a Facebook post, the department said that duckling was about 30 feet down a drain pipe leading to another catch basin, so crews used water from an engine to move it to a place where it could be safely reached. All five ducklings were unharmed and reunited with their mother, making the outcome a memorable one for Klein and his community.
Why does it matter?
Storm drains, roads, and other built infrastructure can become dangerous traps for wildlife, especially small animals such as ducklings that cannot climb out on their own.
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Fire departments are often associated with fires, crashes, and medical emergencies, but crews also regularly respond to animal rescues and other community needs that fall outside those more familiar roles.
What's being done?
The department used its tools to solve an unusual rescue challenge without harming the animals.
It also said these calls were valuable in part because they sharpen problem-solving skills. In its post, the VFD explained that "these calls … often require us to stretch our brains in thinking outside of the box when it comes to tools available to us on our rescue truck to achieve goals."
If you see wildlife in distress, avoid climbing into dangerous spaces or trying to handle the situation in a way that could put you or the animals at risk. Contact animal control, a wildlife rehabilitator, or emergency responders.
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