Baby Ducks in Danger in Ferndale High School Courtyard

secretary Dottie Deel says it might just be her motherly instinct, but there's something about the baby ducks stuck in the school courtyard and she can't help but try to save them.

A mother duck recently had ducklings in the courtyard of the school near the front office. There were 10 babies to begin with, but a "huge hawk" has been circling the courtyard and several ducklings have disappeared. There are six left now, and the hawk continues to make appearances – with the mama duck and babies scurrying to find shelter each time it's spotted.

A teacher is willing to move the duck family near her home, where there's a large pond, but they'd need to catch them first – which is proving to be difficult. The babies are easier to catch, but staff don't want to leave the mother behind.

"I just feel so bad," Deel said Tuesday afternoon, after attempting to catch the mama duck with the help of a student teacher.

They were able to catch two of the baby ducks, but released them back into the courtyard after realizing they were not able to catch the mother.

Animal Control and the Michigan Humane Society were unable to offer assistance – it's the "circle of life" after all, some have said – but Deel just wants to see them safe.

Melinda Hicks, secretary with Ferndale Youth Assistance, said it has been breaking the hearts of many staff members and students at the school to see the ducks slowly picked off.

"Unfortunately, we have no way of keeping the mama and babies safe from the hawk and, even though I know it’s the natural order of things, it’s breaking our hearts to see this happening," she said.

Anyone who has suggestions or knows of any organizations or resources that could help can contact the school office at 248-586-8600.