Adorable ducklings went on a high-stake adventure across this busy city
A high-stakes adventure unfolded in Calgary when a mother duck and her ducklings had to navigate dangerous city streets to find a new home in the water.
A mother duck made a home for herself in Calgary's Bridgeland neighbourhood this past spring, spending several weeks nesting in the safety of one home's front yard. However, when her eggs finally hatched, she sensed it was time to leave in search of water, thus beginning a grand voyage for her and her ten tiny ducklings.
With her destination set for the Bow River, the family of ducks had to navigate a handful of busy city blocks and the impassable Memorial Drive. Luckily, this mama had some help from her landlords, who had hatched a plan of their own to help the family get to the river's safety.
The mother duck and her ducklings being safely herded across a tall pedestrian bridge. (Connor O'Donovan/TWN)
Using some improvised herding tools, the couple carefully led the waddling family through the city streets and across a towering pedestrian bridge, making sure no little ones accidentally walked off the path.
Thankfully, all of the adorable ducks made it safely across the bridge and to the water.
Mallard nesting season typically lasts from late April into June
Mallard ducks are protected in Canada under the Migratory Birds Act, which makes it illegal to tamper with an active nest without a permit.
The mallard duck family happily swimming in Calgary's Bow River after their adventure across the city. (Connor O'Donovan/TWN)
Experts at the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre suggest following the couple's example and giving the mallards room to nest. Don't worry; mother ducks typically lead their babies to water within 24 hours of hatching, so you won't have to deal with any long-term squatters if a duck does choose your yard to nest in.
Leaving the ducks be and making sure they can get back to the water safely is a simple way you can help support an increasingly threatened ecosystem.
This article was copyedited by Anika Beaudry, a digital journalist at The Weather Network.