DPS trooper rescues ducklings from storm drain on Arizona freeway

PHOENIX — An Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper rescued a family of ducks from a storm drain on Monday night.

Troopers responded to a call around 5:20 p.m. alerting them to the animals stuck in the storm drain near Loop 202 at Val Vista.

A trooper climbed down into the drain and returned with the group of five ducklings and their parents.

Rescuers carried the baby ducks in crates while mom and dad waddled behind them, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Tonight, around 6 p.m., troopers responded to a call of a duck and ducklings in a storm drain on eastbound SR-202 RM near Greenfield. With assistance from @ArizonaDOT, a trooper was able to climb down and rescue 5 ducklings and their momma. #AnimalLovers #CourteousVigilance pic.twitter.com/F7hTNEnybE

— Dept. Public Safety (@Arizona_DPS) May 7, 2019

DUCK MOM AN DAD

OPERATION DUCK SALVATION had a happy ending. The rescuers went into the storm drain at L-202 WB at Val Vista to free the remaining ducklings and their parents, a hen and a drake. THE FOWL ARE FREE pic.twitter.com/qmbd3nMNxz

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) May 7, 2019

The babies were released into the canal while the trooper, ADOT crew members and volunteers celebrated their success.

Arizona Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Trooper Vanessa Sevilla said the rescue did not cause major traffic issues.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Madison Spence contributed to this report. 

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