Fire department helps ducks dodge demise

The wet weather we have experienced this spring has been great for mosquitos and generally good for ducks – but not the mother and ducklings that ended up in a storm catch basin recently in Waconia.

Fortunately, Waconia Fire Department personnel came to the rescue, safely extracting the mother and all 14 ducklings.

The incident occurred June 12 around 4:30 p.m. near the intersection of Maple and First Street, according to Fire Chief Justin Sorensen. Two firefighters happened to be at the fire station at the time when a woman stopped by asking if they could help save the ducks.

“We are not sure how they got in the catch basin. We can only assume that mother duck and her ducklings walked over and fell into the structure,” Sorensen said. “Luckily for them, it’s not a very deep structure and made for a pretty quick and easy rescue of all 14 ducklings.”

The fire chief notes animal rescue is not a duty typically performed by the fire department, but will help if there are personnel available, and said “situations like this are fun to be a part of when they turn out like they did.”

But the best place to start with those is the Carver County Sheriff’s office non-emergency line at 952-361-1231. Dispatch can then determine what resources if available can assist when appropriate.