RESCUED: how rail, gas and RSPCA teams played a part in freeing ducklings trapped underground in Merseyside

Six ducklings trapped underground in a remote area of Merseyside were reunited with their mother after a rescue involving rail, gas, and RSPCA teams.
 
The baby birds had fallen through a grid inside a compound that belongs to Cadent, the company which manages the area’s gas distribution network.
 
Workers on rail lines adjacent to the site in Melling realised something was wrong after hearing the mother duck’s distress calls. They rang the RSPCA.
 
This compound is securely locked and fenced off. So, the animal welfare team got in touch with Cadent, which dispatched two of its engineers to the scene.
 
RSPCA animal rescue officer Kathryn Kellegher said: “A railway worker saw six ducklings were in trouble under a gas grid behind a metal fenced area and reported the matter to us.
 
“I could not get into the fenced off area so called Cadent, who sent two workers out to help me. They were amazing – one lifted the grate while the other helped me using a net to round up the ducklings. All the while, their worried mum looked on.
 
"During the rescue she was calling to them and they were calling back. I placed the ducklings in a box and walked to a nearby pond with mum following behind. I then released them, and they swam off happily together - it was lovely to see.
 
“We work closely with partnership agencies on some rescues and we’re always incredibly grateful for any help we receive from them.”
 
Darren Bohanna and George Gresty were the two Cadent engineers involved.
 
Darren said: “It was certainly a very different emergency call-out for us, not what we’re used to doing or something I’ve ever had to do before.
 
“Kathryn, the RSPCA officer, had some fishing nets and we had to coax the ducklings into them.
 
“There was no way out otherwise and it was great to be able to reunite them with their mother.”
 
Anyone who is concerned for the welfare of an animal or who sees an animal in distress, like these ducklings, should call the RSPCA 0300 1234 999.