Ducklings in Trouble, Mother Calls the Police
July 13, 2001 2:03 pm EST

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.