By Mike Wilson
On May 1, 2021, at approximately 7:04 a.m., Columbus (IN) firefighters from Fire Station 5 were requested to respond to a westside car wash for a report of ducklings stuck inside the floor drain of Dirt Buster Car Wash. When firefighters arrived on the scene, they were advised by a car wash employee that a mother duck and two ducklings were discovered near a floor drain that spans the entire length of the car wash. The employee then discovered that additional ducklings had entered the floor drain near the area that the mother duck and ducklings were discovered.
With Columbus Animal Care Services on their way to the scene, firefighters gained access to the ducklings through the removal of the floor drain covering. Firefighters safely removed four ducklings which were turned over to Columbus Animal Care Services staff for evaluation. At that time Animal Care Services staff cleaned the ducklings and ensured no injuries had occurred during the incident. The ducklings were then released to the anxious mother duck, who directed the family to a nearby retention pond.
This marks the third animal rescue for Station 5 firefighters in the past two weeks. In March, firefighters from station 5 responded to two separate incidents involving the rescue of a beaver that had entered a spillway drain. Thankfully, each successful rescue concluded with the animals being safely released back to the wild. With the increased volume of animal rescue calls in the Tipton Lakes and Johnathon Moore Pike areas, which contain numerous lakes and retention ponds, we ask that motorists and pedestrians remain vigilant of wildlife encounters while driving and walking.
Mike Wilson is a captain with the City of Columbus (IN) Fire Department.
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