AssetID: 54836442
Headline: RAW VIDEO: Mighty M1 Ducklings Released Into The Wild After Lorry Drivers Form Quack Rescue Team
Caption: A dozen ducklings rescued by quick-thinking motorists on the M1 after their mother was tragically killed have now been successfully released back into the wild. The mother duck was struck and killed by a vehicle as she attempted to cross the busy motorway on the Nottinghamshire-Derbyshire border with her tiny waddling brood on 9 May. Her tragic demise left her 12 ducklings stranded and distressed in the middle of the road. However, passing motorists used their vehicles to protect the tiny ducklings, who were then safely gathered and taken to Brinsley Animal Rescue. Jon Beresford, from the rescue centre says: “A mother (duck) crossed the busy southbound M1 when she was tragically struck by a vehicle. Her 12 ducklings were crowding around their dying mother. “Spontaneously, a few HGV's could see what was happening and slowed down to form a rolling roadblock, which allowed a brave member of the public to cross over to them, with a bucket given to them by some builders who had also stopped to help. “Soon they were picked up and the traffic back on its way, and the ducklings were admitted to our wildlife hospital.” The ducklings have been hand-reared by the charity before being released into the wild. Jon adds: “Over the next few weeks we have been carried for them and 30 other ducklings, they were then split into smaller groups as they grew, moved into outdoor pens to prepare for release. This weekend all 12 of the M1 ducklings were released back into the wild.” The charity will continue to monitor the ducklings to ensure their wellbeing, but are hopeful this story has a happy ending. A joyful Jon says: “With pet and wildlife rescue we are always on a rollercoaster of emotions, we have to deal with many injuries and illnesses and sad endings, successful releases like this bring a real lift to our hard working volunteering team.”
Keywords: ducklings,animals,birds,feature,photo,video,M1,motorway
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