Meet Rudy: a friendly domestic duckling who recently proved just how resilient she is.
This past June, Rudy’s former caretakers brought her to Prospect Park in Brooklyn, New York, and left her behind. All alone, the little duckling raced after park-goers,
looking for someone to help.
Rudy had already imprinted on humans, meaning she trusted and relied fully on them. She wasn’t suited for life in the wild. Unfortunately, the confused passersby didn’t understand.
“People were running away … not realizing it was just a baby looking for help,” Mary Beth Artz, of They All Want To Live, a local rescue group, told The Dodo.
Eventually, a pair of Good Samaritans got in touch with Wild Bird Fund and told them about Rudy. Wild Bird Fund contacted Artz, who quickly raced to the park with her friend and rescue partner, Sarah.
“When I got the call, my heart sank,” Artz said. “It is nonstop with domestic ducks being dumped in city parks.”
Artz found Rudy snuggled on a blanket with a pair of good-natured park-goers.
“It was an easy rescue because [she] was so conditioned to people,” Artz said. “I just picked [her] up.”
Artz, who also works with W.I.L.D. for Prospect Park, a community advocacy group, knows better than anyone how important it is to look out for our feathered neighbors, especially those who don’t belong in the wild.
“We try to help educate people on being better stewards of the wildlife,” Artz said.
Artz took Rudy back home to recuperate. She got in touch with another duck expert, who was excited to give Rudy a permanent place to land.
“She will have a human family who will love her forever,” Artz said. “And another imprinted duck for a best friend.”
