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Ducklings Rescued From Sewer Grate On South Side

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The fact that today was not a rainy was good news for a family of ducks on Pittsburgh's South Side.

Several little ducklings needed rescuing when they fell down a sewer grate Friday morning.

"We got a call for seven ducklings in the sewer grate," says John Weprich, of City of Pittsburgh Animal Control.

A sheriff's deputy spotted the babies in peril Friday morning and called 911.

The seven hatchlings were apparently marching behind their mama duck when the tiny critters slipped right through the grate of a storm sewer on South Water Street near the Steelers headquarters.

It was a delicate job for a couple of burly animal control officers with help from Public Works.

Soon, a half-dozen of the lucky duckies were huddling together in a cage, but there was a single hold out.

"It does take patience. The ducks run back and forth between the sewer and the tube," said Weprich.

Meanwhile, mama never strayed far.

"They're great mothers," Weprich said.

After 40 minutes, Weprich's co-worker signaled that he had got the last one.

The next step, a rendezvous by the river and a happy family reunion. All in a day's work!

RELATED LINKS:
More South Side News
More Reports from Mary Robb Jackson

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