Catherine Carey, who works in the Shelter’s clinic team, said that the staff were looking after 49
ducklings, which had been rescued after becoming separated from their mothers.
‘They are very cute and very mucky – it is very full on,’ she said. ‘The challenge is keeping them all fed, watered and dry.’
Once the ducklings grow big enough within their enclosure, they are moved into a shallow pond to test their water confidence, before migrating to a larger, deeper pond. If successful at both stages, the ducklings are then deemed ready to be released back into the wild.
‘We make sure that they are not at risk and that they are water-safe,’ said Ms Carey. ‘Then we choose a good site [to release them] to give them the best possible chance. We make sure that they stay wild. We don’t want them to become pets.’
She said there were a few reasons that a duckling could become separated from its mother, including becoming stuck or being frightened by a dog.
However, she said Islanders should make sure that a duckling had actually been abandoned before rescuing it, and should call the JSPCA, who would offer advice, before taking action.
‘Don’t necessarily intervene unless you are certain the mum is gone,’ she said. ‘Unless the duckling is in danger or injured, in which case yes [intervene].’
She said it was ‘a great feeling’ to see the ducklings return to the wild once they were ready to do so.
Islanders can donate to the JSPCA by visiting jspca.org.je/donations.
