In a heartwarming neighbourhood effort, a Winnipeg family sprang into action after discovering 12 ducklings trapped in a storm drain, successfully reuniting them with their anxious mother.
Chandra Kremski was driving home when she noticed a group of young girls gathered around a storm drain on her street. Realizing something was wrong, she stopped to investigate and discovered several ducklings had fallen into the grate.
“I knew immediately—we've got to rescue these baby ducklings,” Kremski told us in an interview on Thursday morning. “The mama duck was pacing and clearly distressed.”
Understanding the urgency, Kremski quickly called her husband, a firefighter, who brought tools from their nearby home. Within minutes, he pried the drain cover off and gently scooped out the ducklings one by one.
“As he was scooping them out, we tried to usher them safely to their mother,” Kremski said. “Some knew exactly where to go, but others were a bit directionally challenged; it was quite comical.”
After a few tense yet charming moments, all 12 ducklings were safely reunited with their relieved mother, who promptly guided them to the safety of nearby tall grass.
“It was a great feeling knowing it was a happy ending rather than a sad one,” Kremski said.
For Kremski and her husband, the rescue was uniquely special. "He's saved many animals over his career, but scooping these little ducklings out was especially sweet," she said.
Kremski, who is also the founder of local Winnipeg business Third and Bird, reflected on the experience fondly, adding that the situation reminded her of the comforting idea of rescue in difficult times. "How sweet for those little ducks to see this big hand scoop them up."