Local women save 11 ducklings trapped in sewer
JANESVILLE — Ducklings who fell into a storm sewer owe their lives to some local women.
Deanna Daehler saw a duckling drop through the sewer grate on the frontage road at dusk Thursday near the Perkins Restaurant and Bakery, just off Milton Avenue.
Melanie Wasemiller stopped to assist, and the two pulled off the grate to find 11 ducklings below. They spent more than two hours catching the ducks.
The ducklings retreated down a pipe, so someone had to go to the next sewer opening and make noise to scare them out, Wasemiller said. Meanwhile, the mother duck paced frantically nearby.
The women tried to catch the mother, but she flew into a retention pond near the Buffalo Wild Wings.
A police officer joined the rescue, partially blocking the road to keep the rescuers safe, Wasemiller said.
They took the ducks to wildlife rehabilitator Jess Massaro of Beloit, who works at Fellow Mortals, a nonprofit wildlife hospital near Lake Geneva.
At last report, all 11 ducklings were doing well.
Mandy Cyr, wildlife rehabilitation liaison for the DNR, said ducks often get into trouble in urban areas when ducklings hatch in the spring. She said the ducks might have perished in the cold, wet sewer overnight.
The first concern in a wildlife rescue should be for safety of the humans, Cyr said. Next most important is reuniting the offspring with the mother.
If that can’t be done, people should contact a wildlife rehabilitator. If you don’t know one, the DNR can provide a contact. Call 1-888-936-7463 and press 5 when you hear the message.
related STORIES
- Delavan man arrested in ...
By GAZETTE STAFF 03/24/13
- Suspect in Delavan bank ...
By ASSOCIATED PRESS 03/09/13
- East Troy girls top ...
By GAZETTE STAFF 03/08/13
May 4, 2012 at 1:05 p.m.
Suggest removal
Over where I live (Edison Middle School Area) one of my friends had found 5 ducklings in a sewer and the lady who owned the house knew but didn't do anything about it? I wonder why that is.
May 4, 2012 at 12:51 p.m.
Suggest removal
Thank you to the women who helped out the ducklings. I hope they made it back to their mother safely.
Strange coincidence that this happened near a Buffalo Wild Wings- why do we not show this same care and compassion towards the chickens on the menu there?
May 1, 2012 at 6:17 a.m.
Suggest removal
And to John, nobody is breathing in any asbestos. unless someone is inside grindng it up into the air there is zero danger.
May 1, 2012 at 6:16 a.m.
Suggest removal
Yeah that would be brillant, drop the ducklings off at the pond a couple hundred feet from where they fell into the sewer and next to the busiest road in janesville...
Apr 30, 2012 at 4:09 p.m.
Suggest removal
To JohnWicket's question:
Because it's a feel good story, you ding-dong!
Apr 29, 2012 at 1:02 p.m.
Suggest removal
my brother didsomething like that a few years ago he was mowing behind the mall in the park and there was a mother duck with her ducklings he got a box picked them up one by one and walk over to the pond by charter mother duck right behind him when she knew where he was going took off flying to the pond to meet them. they should off took the duckling to the pond where the mother duck went
Apr 29, 2012 at 11:37 a.m.
Suggest removal
Such a great story! We need more of these. JohnWicket, You need to chill and enjoy a good story like this!
Apr 29, 2012 at 9:19 a.m.
Suggest removal
I agree with StormChaser. The ducklings should have been reunited with their mother. Were they? The article does not mention if the mother duck was taken with them.
Apr 29, 2012 at 8:33 a.m.
Suggest removal
Why is the general public so much more concerned about ducklings and pets than they are about kids breathing in asbestos at the charter school? Where is the greater danger? Aren't young people an important form of life?
Apr 29, 2012 at 7:37 a.m.
Suggest removal
Nice to know some folks won't "duck"their responsibility as citizens of Quackersville.
Apr 28, 2012 at 11:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
What an awesome thing to do! great work ladies!
Apr 28, 2012 at 4:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
Thank you for a very heart warming story....
Apr 28, 2012 at 4:14 p.m.
Suggest removal
If the mother duck was nearby, why were the duckings given to a rehabber?
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.