Kudos to this anonymous Eau Claire, Wisc., police officer, who saw a mother in need and took immediate action. The whole harrowing incident was captured by his dash cam:
Quite a visual. As we've discussed, mallard hens have a strong proclivity for urban nesting. Once the eggs hatch, city-dwelling hens share something in common with rural nesters: They must lead the ducklings to water in order for them to feed. The farther the hen and ducklings must travel—which can exceed a half mile—the more vulnerable they are to various hazards. In wetland areas, predators are the primary concern, but in urban areas they must watch out for motor vehicles too—unless, of course, a dedicated officer of the law is handy.
