Wheelie weird waddler
But that was going to cost a breathtaking $6000. Absolutely quackers, you might say.
The SPCA pointed her to ‘‘Duck Man’’ Craig Shepherd, who was eager to take on the challenge, but was based in Wellington.
That’s when two people, also touched by the tale, stepped in. Karyn McLauchlan, the owner of NZ Pet Bus which transports animals across the country, offered up the transportation at half price. And North Canterbury businessman Michael Heaven paid for the cut-price fare.
Shepherd is the chair of Wildlife Rehabilitators Network of New Zealand (WReNNZ) and has been chair of Wellington SPCA and runs the charity, Wellington Bird Rehabilitation Trust.
Through his trust, he arranged for x-rays which showed surgery was not an option as the deformity was too severe.
That was when he came up with Plan B: a cart to help the duck waddle once more.
‘‘Canterbury seems to be having a lot of fun in his cage,’’ Shepherd said. ‘‘They are conditioned not to show signs of pain as that can make them easy prey, also it can result in them being kicked out of the family as it makes the other family members more susceptible to prey.
‘‘However, signs of pain in an animal would be a reluctance to eat and put on weight. This duck is eating well and in good condition.’’