Emergency! Babies in storm drain! Update: They are safe!

[Rammy]

I wanted to let all of you know what my plan was for the ducklings originally, so there are no assumptions. I wanted to get them out, put down hardware, and give them back to their momma. That plan went awire because of the issues with the security guard and him threatening to have the police called. It's now at, I'm afraid to go back even to just put the hardware cloth down because if I see more babies down there, I'm probably gonna go to jail.
But now, after I find some place to live again - which I may have, I'm just waiting to see if I'm approved. The lady landlord has 50 ducks and no muscovies!
I want to get the babies back, I'm so grateful again that I found y'all when I first found speedy and extremely grateful that @Texag87 and his wife came to help when they did.

I'm trying to just trust that momma kept the others away from the overflow storm drain grate. But I know those babies, and they can be a handful just like my speedy and fancy were. Getting into everything and no matter what i did to protect them, they'd find something else!
I'm praying that when I go back over to drop the cloth down, there isn't any down there now.

Go back and put the hardware clothe on. Maybe rentacop wont be there. If he threatens to call the cops tell him go ahead. KMA rentacop.

 

[Melodychick]

You’ve gone above and beyond what most people would do, and while I agree something needs to be done, I’d think twice before putting the HC on the grate without permission. If there’s flooding and the HC impedes the flow by catching debris, they’ll know it was you since rent a cop saw your i.d., and even if the HC wasn’t the cause, they may fine you. I’d still talk to the news. If they run with the story, they can talk to city council members, or whoever is in charge of such things. You too can call the areas representative. A human interest story gets them good publicity, especially if they’re up for re-election... Also see what animal rescue groups are in the area, they can help start a campaign and maybe even help keep an eye on storm drains in the area during duckling season. Again you and Texag87 have done an amazing job, congrats on saving those little lives!

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Go back and put the hardware clothe on. Maybe rentacop wont be there. If he threatens to call the cops tell him go ahead. KMA rentacop.

If she does so and it causes the drain to clog with debris and cause flooding, she could cause serious damage to other people and ruin her life with criminal and civil liabilities. Let's be sensible, people. The drain is constructed that way for a reason. Don't try to change things that don't belong to you that you don't understand.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I do not live down there but kinda follow things. Right now there is a big battle between the mayor and fire union so they may be more inclined to follow rules. The SPCA has no excuse though. I think they raise money off the suffering puppy pictures and then, instead of helping animals in general they just help themselves.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Another hero here is Jpat and his idea to use the shop vac. I would have never though of that. Hats off to @Raenh , @Texag87 , @Jpat!

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Another hero here is Jpat and his idea to use the shop vac. I would have never though of that. Hats off to @Raenh , @Texag87 , @Jpat!

Did they suck them up with a shop vac? I'm surprised it didn't kill them.

 

[Raenh]

Did they suck them up with a shop vac? I'm surprised it didn't kill them.

If I had used a normal sized shop vac, probably, but I would have used the sock on the end as @Jpat suggested. The one I used though was a small carry me one with the wands that are small enough to fit down the grate holes.
And I am not stupid.
I made sure to catch them by their backsides or as near as I could, I know the suction could kill or suffocate them had I got near their heads.
Btw, the hardware cloth that i want to put down is just a screen, EASILY picked up incase of clogging or drainage problems. And i would not attach it, just set it down.
Dont make assumptions on others intelligence. I know those grates are there for a reason and the ONE I want to block is right there next to the pond as an overflow, I'm not trying to block the street ones, the momma would walk around it. It's the one that they are swimming near.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I wanted to let all of you know what my plan was for the ducklings originally, so there are no assumptions. I wanted to get them out, put down hardware, and give them back to their momma. That plan went awire because of the issues with the security guard and him threatening to have the police called. It's now at, I'm afraid to go back even to just put the hardware cloth down because if I see more babies down there, I'm probably gonna go to jail.
But now, after I find some place to live again - which I may have, I'm just waiting to see if I'm approved. The lady landlord has 50 ducks and no muscovies!
I want to get the babies back, I'm so grateful again that I found y'all when I first found speedy and extremely grateful that @Texag87 and his wife came to help when they did.

I'm trying to just trust that momma kept the others away from the overflow storm drain grate. But I know those babies, and they can be a handful just like my speedy and fancy were. Getting into everything and no matter what i did to protect them, they'd find something else!
I'm praying that when I go back over to drop the cloth down, there isn't any down there now.

I'm so impressed by your resolve, and I completely understand your reticence to go back!

Please continue to keep us updated!

 

[Jpat]

 

[quackiemama]

Wow that is awesome. You are a good person saving those babies