Family of ducks get OPP escort away from Hwy. 401

Shortly after the “quack” of dawn, the Grenville County detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received reports of a family of ducks stuck in the middle of a highway.

The birds were on the centre median of Highway 401 near Prescott, Ont. Officers arrived and asked for “duck-uments” and then provided an escort to safety, a post on X reads.

In an email to CityNews Ottawa, police said at 9:30 a.m. the ducks returned but the scene was cleared quickly.

Officer Dave Holmes, with the Grenville County OPP, said in the second instance the driver exited their vehicle to try and keep the family away from the road.

“We ALWAYS (say) to remain in your vehicle along major roadways, especially 400-series, unless there is an immediate need to exit,” he said.

In the spring and early summer months, instances like this happen regularly, especially in Grenville County where small ponds are near the highway.

Last year, police also rescued a pig running along the highway in the same area.

When animals or debris are causing disruptions, officials said, police will use emergency lights and close the lanes to remove the issue.

“It can cause significant traffic disruptions because, naturally, most motorists do not want to cause harm to the ducks (and sometimes turtles), and will stop while in the live lane,” Holmes said.

OPP said motorists are to continue driving and not stop in the lanes.

“In the last year, (an) officer has rescued/removed cats, turtles, ducks,  and even removed a bat from someone’s home,” Holmes said. “We do it all!”