The BC SPCA is reminding all drivers to slow down as B.C. moves into wildlife season after a mother duck was killed by a car in Victoria, leaving behind eight ducklings.
The animal organization says an adult female mallard was recently hit by a car when she was trying to cross the road with her offspring. Only one duckling remained by her side, and the driver took the mom and baby duck to the Central Victoria Veterinary Hospital.
The 24-hour veterinary hospital is accepting wildlife temporarily until transport to the BC SPCA’s Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (Wild ARC) can be arranged.
“On arrival to Wild ARC, the mother was given a full examination and was assessed as having severe head trauma – her skull was fractured and she was unresponsive,” says Andrea Wallace, manager of wild animal welfare. “Sadly, the most humane option for this mallard mom was euthanasia. This was a difficult decision to make because we knew it meant orphaning her duckling who was only a few days old. We were also concerned for her other ducklings we knew were orphaned and out there alone somewhere.”
The SPCA says it hit a stroke of luck the next morning, when seven ducklings were found wandering alone less than a block away from where the mom had been struck by the car.
“Another kind person collected them and brought them to Wild ARC where they were confirmed as the lost siblings,” said the BC SPCA in a release.
At only just over a week old, Wallace says these tiny ducklings will be in care for a few months as they grow and develop the skills they need to live life in the wild on their own. While they won’t have a mom, Wallace assures they will have the best care possible at Wild ARC and will eventually be released together.
The animal welfare organization says this is a happy ending to an otherwise tragic story and serves as a good reminder to drivers to slow down for wildlife at this critical time for wildlife parents.
“At this time of year, wildlife moms (and dads!) are doing their best to raise their young to be healthy and strong,” says Wallace. “They have a lot to contend with to make sure their babies are safe including finding enough food, avoiding predators, as well as navigating all the human obstacles we put in their wake. Let’s give them a helping hand!”
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Rebecca Lawrence
