Two Ducks Rescued From CZU Fires Up For Adoption

SANTA CRUZ, CA — Two pet ducks that survived the massive CZU Lightning Complex fires are in need of a new home after their owner's home burnt down. The ducks are available for adoption at the Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA.

PHS/SPCA announced on Friday that the pair of ducks, named Forest and Meadow, were available for adoption for $20. Forest, a male Mallard duck, and Meadow, a female Peking duck, are a bonded pair.

The ducks survived for 11 days on their own through the fires, which burned 86,509 acres in San Mateo County and Santa Cruz counties. The fires were 98 percent contained as of Saturday.

Their owner evacuated but was unable to take the ducks. Since the owner lost his home to the fires, he gave them to PHS/SPCA, which pledged to keep the ducks together.

"Forest and Meadow are true survivors of the recent destructive wildfires," PHS/SPCA's Communication Manager Buffy Martin Tarbox said in a statement. Tarbox said it was a miracle that the ducks survived because as pet ducks, they would not have been used to fending for themselves in the wild.

"For 11 days the ducks avoided the fire and smoke, foraging for food and water sources until we were able to rescue them on August 31 with the assistance of other agencies who provided an escort into the evacuated zone," Tarbox said.

When the ducks arrived at the PHS/SPCA shelter, they were covered in soot and ash, dehydrated, underweight and hungry, but Tarbox said they are well on their way to recovery.

Anyone interested in meeting the ducks can call (650)340-7022 to schedule an appointment. PHS/SPCA is open by appointment only due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

PHS/SPCA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to animal welfare. They provide care and find homes for sick or injured animals. They provided shelter for 98 companion animals of San Mateo County residents during the CZU fires. Many of the animals have been reunited with their families.

Bay City News contributed to this report.