The Scottish SPCA was recently called to rescue 12 ducklings and their mother from a third floor balcony in Edinburgh.
Scotland’s animal welfare charity was alerted to the birds on 28 April by a member of the public who hadn’t noticed the duck was nesting on their balcony until the babies hatched.
The rescue comes off the back of the launch of the Scottish SPCA’s #WildlifeWise campaign which educates the public on when to leave baby animals alone in the wild and when to phone its animal helpline.
Scottish SPCA animal rescue officer Aileen Maybury said, “Ducks do often nest on balconies and other high places and normally we’d leave them to make their own way down.
“When my colleague, animal rescue officer Darren Malcolm, and I arrived, all of the birds had managed to make their way down to ground level and were hiding under the bins.
“However, as one duckling had already been injured in the descent, and there was no clear route to a safe waterway for the others we decided to give them a helping hand.
“Thankfully, I was able to safely contain the mother and the uninjured babies and release them safely nearby.
“The injured duckling has been taken to our National Wildlife Rescue Centre at Fishcross where it is receiving the care it needs.”
The Scottish SPCA campaign #WildlifeWise aims to keep baby animals with their parents. The parents of fledglings are often nearby and still caring for them, even if the bird is on the ground. The Society is asking that people monitor baby birds, or call their animal helpline if they’re unsure if a bird needs help, to avoid creating an orphan.
The Scottish SPCA animal helpline is open from 7am-9pm every day and can be reached on 03000 999 999. To find out more, about the campaign visit www.scottishspca.org/wildlifewise
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
