Not all ducks survived, but credit to local motorist for efforts near college

By Letter to the Editor on June 21, 2019.

In recent travels I came across a parked vehicle on College Avenue along the southbound stretch between the college and the Cultural Centre. Several other cars had stopped in the adjacent southbound lane, and a single male figure could be seen walking in front of both vehicles, waving his arms about.

Though he didn’t appear to be yelling or screaming, I was unsure of what to make of it and, finding the only traditional exits now blocked by other vehiculars, I settled in to assess what was actually taking place.

While a more apt individual might’ve taken out their phone to contact police or, in our age of overabundant social media use, filmed the proceedings, it soon became apparent that this motorist was attempting to herd a duck and its two ducklings toward the pond on the southwest side of the road.

Although it took a bit of time, he was eventually successful, and I found myself to be grateful for his actions, a sentiment unshared by the driver in the adjacent lane. As the second driver sped away, their absence revealed the bodies of three semi-flattened ducklings, one of which was still moving its legs … a devastating sight.

By relating this brief story, I simply wish to extend my personal gratitude to the motorist who came across this instance, stopped and attempted to safeguard the remaining ducklings.

Michael Plait

Medicine Hat

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