7 ducklings rescued from east Ottawa highway

Earlier this week, Ottawa police asked bylaw officers to come help along an east-end highway.

According to officials, a family of ducks were trying to cross Highway 174 at Trim Road. While the mom was able to cross, the seven ducklings were struggling.

This is when Ottawa police called bylaw for help.

Officers were able to take the ducklings and relocate them to nearby Petrie Island. They said the family will be able to reunite soon since the ducklings were “healthy” and old enough to “thrive” on their own.

“A big thanks to everyone who helped keep them safe,” Ottawa bylaw said in a post on X.

Animal crossings on Ottawa-area highways and roads are not uncommon due to the vast wildlife in the nation’s capital and the abundance of green space.

However, they also don’t always end happy.

Just last week, Ontario Provincial Police officers were called to a west-end highway for reports of a bear.

A young bear was hit by a vehicle and was not able to be rehabilitated or helped. According to officials, the hit-and-run happened on Highway 7 around noon on June 10 by the Hazeldean Road exit in Stittsville. Police responded to reports that there was an injured bear in the centre median area. The driver did not remain at the scene.

“It had visible, serious injuries to its hind legs,” OPP said in a post on X. “All efforts were made to see if it was possible to save the bear, which was a youngling.”

After its condition continued to worsen and police consulted other experts, officers made the “tough” decision to “put the bear out of its misery.”