Ducklings Rescued from Sewer in Tinley Park

A Tinley Park resident was relieved Monday to see a mama duck reunited with her ducklings with a little help from Tinley Park Public Works.

All seemed well when Jennifer Varnagis and her mother spotted the duck and her seven offspring in their yard near 163rd and Prairie Drive on Sunday. That evening, though, they noticed only four ducklings waddling along. And Monday morning, the distraught mother duck was pacing along the fence line alone.

“The mother was frantic, flying between yards and pacing,” Varnagis said. “I went outside with a flashlight and could hear chirping and sure enough all of the babies had fallen into the sewer.”

Varnagis called the Tinley Park Fire Department, who suggested they contact public works for Operation: Rescue Ducklings.

“Three gentlemen came out and removed the sewer and got all of the babies out,” Varnagis said. “We reunited the babies with their mother and all ended well! We’re so thankful they could come out and save them!”