Ducklings rescued in Dereham
They'd fallen down a drain
Last updated 1st May 2021
Seven dirty ducklings were rescued by the RSPCA after they fell through the holes of a grate over a drain in Dereham.
The RSPCA attended the incident on Monday 12 April after a worried member of the public spotted the young birds in the drain.
An officer from Norfolk Fire and Rescue attended and lifted the heavy iron manhole cover which the drain led to, in order for RSPCA inspector Ben Kirby to scoop the ducklings out.
Sadly four ducklings had died, however the remaining seven were taken to the RSPCA's East Winch Wildlife Centre for a clean and some TLC as there was no sign of mum nearby.
Ben said:
"Sadly we often get called out to help ducklings who have fallen into drains.
"I am so grateful to Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, their officer was able to lift a manhole cover to help me reach the trapped ducklings.
"Members of the public had tried to find the mother duck but there was no sign of her anywhere. She had been seen earlier but she probably left as she may have had other young to attend to.
"So I took the ducklings to East Winch Wildlife Centre as they would be too young to survive alone. They are now in the centre's orphan duckling room recuperating.
"The main thing is these little ducklings are safe and once they are strong enough will be returned to the wild."
The ducklings were given a gentle quick bath and and rinse and then a blow dry - as they were so tiny they could have died of hypothermia if they were not dried quickly enough.
They are now in the duckling orphanage with a heat lamp above them and underfloor heating to keep them warm and cosy.