Concord, Calif. — Concord police officers turned a slow Sunday afternoon into a small wildlife rescue last week, standing guard over a mother duck and her ducklings after the mom was struck by a vehicle, the department said in a social media post.
When officers arrived, they found the injured but “determined” mom still fighting and all of her ducklings huddled nearby, according to the post. With a brief lull in calls for service, officers blocked the immediate area and watched over the little family until help could arrive.
That help came from Dr. Olivia Winson of Maverick Veterinary Surgery, who stepped in on short notice despite it being a Sunday, police said. Winson collected the ducks and transported them to an appropriate wildlife organization for care.
Concord PD called the incident a “A Quack-tical Rescue” (police puns–now that’s something we can get behind!) They thanked Winson and her team “for their compassion and quick action,” and praised the officers who protected the birds until the handoff.
Photos shared by the department show an officer standing near a patrol SUV as the hen and ducklings huddle on the pavement, along with a close-up of the brood clustered together.
No further details about the extent of the mother duck’s injuries or the final destination of the birds were immediately available.
What to do if you find injured wildlife
- Keep your distance. Do not attempt to feed, chase, or pick up wild animals—stress can make injuries worse.
- Note the location and circumstances. This helps responders find and assess the animal quickly.
- Call for expert help. Contact your local animal services agency or a permitted wildlife rehabilitation group (in Contra Costa County, organizations such as Lindsay Wildlife Experience in Walnut Creek are common resources).
