Troy Workers Save Ducklings

TROY, MI — Four ducklings have a Troy business to thank for being reunited with their mother. Employees of AIP Marketing saw the ducklings — seven in total — fall into a storm drain in the company’s parking lot and took action.

Employees called the Troy Fire Department for help but took it upon themselves to rescue the ducklings before firefighters arrived. Four of the babies were raised to safety quickly, the Troy Times reported. An impatient mother led the four away before the other three could be rescued.

Employees of the E. Square Lake Road business rescued the last three and then searched the area, including a nearby detention pond for the other ducks, but could not find them, the newspaper reported. The remaining ducklings were eventually taken to the Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center.

Troy Assistant Fire Chief Chuck Riesterer commented the employees for their efforts, but warned it’s not always wise to take immediate action in such situations. “If an animal is at risk and there’s no means to get them out or for them to get out, call us,” he said. “We don’t want people to put themselves at risk.”

Animal rescues are not always as simple as they may appear, Riesterer told the Times. If the rescue involves the young, parents may be in the immediate area and will try to protect their offspring. It can pose a danger to people and responders rendering assistance, Riesterer said.

Incidents are sometimes referred to Oakland County Animal Control. Riesterer said the three ducklings were turned over to the county, and they will be cared for and given to a wildlife rehabilitator, the Times reported.

Photo by 55th Street via Flickr Commons