Never pick up ducklings if they are with a parent/parents - REGARDLESS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES!
i.e. they are being attacked by predators. It is not our role to interfere, it is simply the circle of life and it must be remembered that predators have babies to feed too. If you have a cat, dog and children, keep them inside.

If the ducklings ‘appear’ to be on their own - particularly if they’re hidden - the parent has, in all likelihood gone off for a time to feed herself, rest them or to lure predators away. Wait a while to see if the parent/parents come back. More often than not they do. Sometimes they can be away for up to 4 hours. Once again keep cats, dogs and children inside. If the ducklings are disturbed the parents will eventually abandon them.

If ducklings are seen or heard down storm water drains with the distressed Mum nearby, phone us or the Ranger’s Office, council workers are helpful and experienced and will assist Wildlife carers, they have the tools to access the drains to initiate the rescue. Do not attempt to rescue them yourself...safety is always an issue and there is a knack in rescuing them which is in a calm, patient and quiet manner without distressing the Mum any more than what she is, as long as she can hear them she will stay close by. Never chase the Mum in an attempt to reunite the babies - release them away from the drain and step quietly back and away from them. She will gather them up.

If the ducklings are definitely orphans put them on a hot water bottle or wheat pack with a towel over the top. Don’t have either too hot. Contact us.

NEVER put them in water or with water, particularly if there is no way to dry them off and keep them warm. Be aware that:
a. they need to be taught to be fed within 24 hours 
b. they require a special diet
c. they need to be kept warm 24/7

Ducklings are seen in the water by the public without the awareness that when the parent sits on them, the oil from her feathers is transferred to the ducklings to keep them temporarily waterproofed while they are in the water. When they come out Mum sits on them to dry them and keep them warm and to also re-waterproof them for the next swim.
Tempting as it may be to cuddle ducklings, they can die from being cold and experience extreme stress due to over-handling. 

To prevent ducks from taking their families into your swimming pool, you can purchase a blow up toy such as a dolphin, whale or crocodile which must have EYES and tether it in your pool.

WILDLIFE ARE NOT PETS OR TOYS - They are what the name suggests - WILD!
They came from the wild and that’s where they belong.