WA Police have proven there is no case they can’t quack, braving the pouring rain to help rescue adorable ducklings that lost their way and waddled onto a Perth freeway earlier this week.
The group of about 10 Shelduck ducklings was spotted trying to cross the northbound lanes of Mitchell Freeway, just before the Hodges Drive exit in Heathridge, around 10.20am on Tuesday, August 2.
A WA Police spokesperson said police received multiple calls alerting them to the situation and Traffic Enforcement Group North officers sprang into action.
“Unfortunately, there was no sign of a mother duck, and the ducklings were in danger of being hit by cars,” they said.
The spokesperson said the officers, with the assistance of Main Roads WA staff and members of the public, were able to safely secure all but one of the ducklings.
Video of the rescue shows officers in the rain collecting the birds and entering a roadside storm drain in an attempt to scoop out the last duckling that got washed away.
“After several attempts, [the officer] was able to safely rescue the last duckling,” the spokesperson said.
Main Roads WA maintained a safe working area using their incident response service vehicle on the side of the freeway, while the rescue took place.
The ducklings were taken to Native Animal Rescue in Malaga, where they are now being cared for.
The brood is the second in just a week to find themselves in trouble on a Perth freeway.
Last Wednesday, July 28, a lane was closed and traffic was slowed to 40 kilometers by Main Roads WA after another family of Shelducks was spotted trying to cross heavy traffic close to the Canning Highway exit, near Como.
Main Roads WA real-time media coordinator Dana Alhuneidi said a traffic response team was implemented to close the northbound right lane and ensure safety while officers contacted WA Seabird Rescue to collect the birds.
After a successful rescue, the birds were released at Neil McDougall Park.
Main Roads WA real-time media coordinator Dana Alhuneidi said it wasn’t unusual for ducks to try and cross that section of the freeway during the breeding season, which is due to ramp up in October and November.
She said drivers should keep an eye out for the cute fluff balls but reminded commuters that if they come across this situation to phone Main Roads’ customer information center line on 138 138 and to contact WA Wildlife on 9417 7105 or WA Seabird Resuce on 6102 8464 .
“Don’t try to rescue the ducklings yourself,” Alhuneidi said.
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