Springfield firefighters rescue ducklings from watery grave

by The Republican Newsroom

Saturday July 04, 2009, 4:41 PM

By LORI STABILE
lstabile@repub.com

SPRINGFIELD - Firefighters made way for ducklings Saturday as they rescued six young mallards who somehow got stuck inside a sewer in front of Bernie's on Boston Road.

"I think someone was walking by and heard them," engine five firefighter Ty A. Alexander said. "They could hear peeping."

Alexander was the one who went into the sewer to rescue the ducklings. He described the rescue as "pretty easy" and said he used a little basket to transport them back to safety.

"They were adorable," Alexander said.

The ducklings fell through the sewer grate and were trapped at the bottom, standing in water. Their mother was nowhere in sight.

The ducklings were so small that he could fit two in the palm of his hand. He said he doesn't know how long they had been in the sewer. One of the ducklings was already dead, Alexander said.

Alexander said it took about five minutes to rescue the ducklings. The call came in at approximately 8:30 a.m. Firefighters gave the ducklings to a bird rehabilitator.

While Boston Road is busy with traffic, Alexander said there are some water bodies nearby that could attract ducks, such as Loon Pond.

It wasn't the first time Alexander has had an animal rescue.

"It was a nice start for the day," Alexander said.