Firefighters Save Duck Family from Sewer Grate

No duckling was left behind on July 10, when Palos Heights firefighters, police and animal hospital staff helped save a duck family that fell through sewer grates.

The Palos Heights Fire Protection District was called to the 11900 block of Harlem Avenue to assist police with a traffic disturbance, according to Palos Heights Firefighter Bryan Mueller.

A family of ducklings and a mother duck were crossing the street in a single file line, and a driver exited her car to try to shoo them out of the road, Mueller said.

“By the time we got there, about eight of the ducklings fell in the sewer,” Mueller said.

Using a net that was procured by the fire district for a similar need years ago, the ducklings were fished out of the sewer one by one, and placed them in a carrier for dogs, according to Mueller. The ducklings were then taken to an area away from traffic and released to their mother.

Palos Heights police helped with the rescue, as did staff from the Palos Heights Animal Hospital, who provided the dog carrier, Mueller said. Palos Heights Fire Lt. Adam Casper and Firefighter Matt Gruca also assisted at the scene.

“It is definitely one of the more bizarre events I’ve seen,” Mueller said.

When confronted with any animals on the road, Mueller recommends never exiting your car.

“It’s fine to slow down and honk at them,” Mueller said. “But don’t ever get out of the car and put yourself in potential danger.”

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