It seems animals are taking advantage of quieter spots across the globe, with dolphins in Venice canals, goats in a Welsh village and ducks exploring Uckfield! East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) were called out late morning yesterday (Wednesday, 15) after a mother duck and her 11 ducklings were found wandering around a close in Roman Way, Uckfield.
Rescuers soon arrived to find mum and just eight ducklings wandering back and forth along a fence line, trying to find a way to get to a pond off the River Uck near Hempstead Lane.
Rescuers said: "We managed to secure open a gap in the fence for mum and ducklings to get through, but as they we did so, it quickly became apparent that there were more ducklings around as their cheeping echoed out of several drains."WRAS's veterinary ambulance was positioned to block the road and create a safe working environment to lift a drain and attempt a rescue.
Rescuer Holly Davis said:
"It was really difficult as any sudden move the duckling would run back into the pipes!"Two were caught in a large inspection chamber the middle of the close and another one was encouraged out of a pipe and smelly water from a drain at the side of the road.
The rescue took almost 90 minutes.
The third duckling was out of reach and there was only a small hole to work from.
However, eventually the duckling was encouraged out and secured.
Once rescuers were convinced that there were no more ducklings they took them over to the pond where mum had made her way successfully through the bushes.
Rescuers were then able to release the last three ducklings which swam off to their mum to be reunited.
Rescuer Ellie Langridge said:
"It was so nice to see them all reunited together, and as we were doing so we could hear the local residents in the houses cheering that they were all back together safely." More Radio is continuously dedicated to providing a quality news service on-air and online, reporting local stories that matter across Sussex. If you found this story useful, then check out our home page at moreradio.online where you can find the latest from the county, along with features and competitions from our presenters, as well as listening to the station live. You can also sign up to our news alerts to receive updates on new stories. Simply click on the bell at the bottom right of the home page. This will then allow a pop-up which will ask if you would like to receive alerts. Press ‘allow’ and you’re all signed up! You can also follow us on Facebook and on Twitter.
More 'Live' Bus Information Screens To Be Installed In West Sussex
Rare Bee Found In Lewes
Event Bookings Go Live For Worthing Festival ‘24
Man Charged After Throwing Brick Through Brighton Restaurant Window
Peacehaven Man Disqualified Over High-Speed A27 Pursuit Near Brighton
Appeal After PCSO Assaulted In Uckfield
Man Charged With Rape Of Teenage Girl In Newhaven
Overnight Closures For A22 Forest Row Road Improvements
Brighton Defence Manufacturer's Controversial Planning Application Likely To Be Heard
Over £2.4m Approved For Worthing School Support Centre