THEY WENT OFF WITH A QUAK
Five ducklings orphaned after a dog attack have been returned to their home by the little hands that stood in to help rear them.
About 20 youngsters from New Plymouth’s Pukekura Kindergarten headed to Fountain Lake at Pukekura Park yesterday morning to release the baby mallards. The little ducklings were set free on to the water where they waded about together before slowly immersing themselves amongst their new feathery friends. The children watched on, waving goodbye to the waterfowls while singing duckrelated nursery rhymes.
The ducks were orphaned about two months ago after their mum was attacked by a dog outside the park’s teahouse.
‘‘She had taken the ducklings there just after they had hatched and they were all accumulating around in front of the teahouse,’’ curator Chris Connolly said.
‘‘The dog lunged at the duck and grabbed it in its mouth.’’
Connolly said she managed to get free and took off into the trees.
After her rescue the duck received the necessary care but when reunited with her babies she didn’t take to her motherly duties.
Connolly said because they were still so young the ducklings needed human care in order to survive.
He looked after them for a time but then they were given to the kindergarten, which has a long association with the park, where they have spent the past month.
Four-year-old Rowan Lord said he was sad the ducklings were leaving the centre as he had cared for them for so long.
‘‘And they must be sad too,’’ he said. ‘‘I’ve watered them and we’ve all shared feeded [sic] them.’’
His buddy Jones Edwards said he would make regular visits to the park to see his feathery friends. ‘‘I feel sad.’’
Head teacher De Riddle said caring for the ducks had been a valuable learning experience for the students.
They took turns feeding them ‘‘duck porridge’’, or chicken mash, learned the needs of a wild duck and how to keep them safe.
‘‘It’s really hands on learning for them to see this in their environment.
‘‘The amount of children who say to their parents ‘come and see the ducklings’... they’re super proud of what they’ve done.’’
"The dog lunged at the duck and grabbed it in its mouth."
Chris Connolly