General Cycling Discussion - Off Topic But Amazing

I know this is way off topic but I wanted to share this with you all. I thought it was just amazing.

Ducklings in Trouble, Mother Calls the Police


Updated: Fri, Jul 13 2:03 PM EDT


VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Reuters) - When a family of ducklings fell down a Vancouver sewer grate their mother did what any parent would do. She got help from a passing police officer.

Vancouver police officer Ray Peterson admitted he was not sure what to make of the duck that grabbed him by the pant leg while he was on foot patrol on Wednesday evening in a neighborhood near the city's downtown.

"I though it was a bit goofy, so I shoved it away," Peterson told the Vancouver Sun newspaper.

The mother duck persisted, grabbing Peterson's leg again when he tried to leave, and then waddling to a nearby sewer grate where she sat down and waited for him to follow and investigate.

"I went up to where the duck was lying and saw eight little babies in the water below," he said.

Police said they removed the heavy metal grate with the help of a tow truck and used a vegetable strainer to lift the ducklings to safety.

Mother and offspring then departed for a nearby pond.

It's amazing, but believable. Animals are sometimes underestimated, just because they don't share our values (which is just as well for them, I think).

A friend of some friends of mine was saved by his cat, who pounded on his chest as he slept, from a fire in his apartment.

And I saw a re-enactment on TV of a similar incident in which a cat saved a whole family from a house fire at night.

Then there was the cat that re-entered a burning building at least four times to save her kittens. She survived, disfigured, but with intensive vet care came out of the ordeal pretty well--and made numerous TV appearances....

You don't hear much about smart ducks; they keep a lower profile than cats.... After all, restaurants don't usually serve Peking Cat.

How do you know Jon!?:D

Ignorance may not always be bliss, but sometimes it's the best course. I never peek into kitchens.... :eek:

(Of course I would be glad to tour Orguasch's spotless state-of-the-art kitchen, though!)

Cool story, 'Grinder!