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A telephone call by a passerby reporting baby ducklings were trapped in a storm drain led to a quick response from Allenhurst Police Sgt. Michael DiBona.

The call came in near 10:55 a.m., Chief Michael Schneider said.

Schneider located the ducklings under the railroad overpass on Cedar Avenue. With assistance from the Department of Public Works, the storm drain cover was lifted and Sgt DiBona entered into the storm drain and rescued seven baby ducklings, Schneider said. The ducklings were placed temporarily into a small pet carrier.

DiBona then set out to find the mother, who could be heard by all involved, Schneider said. Minutes later, she was found on the train tracks.

“Sgt DiBona carefully placed the pet carrier along the side of the tracks and left the door open,” Schneider said. “Once the officers moved away from the carrier, the mother came over to the pet carrier, where, after verbally signaling to the ducklings, they all exited the carrier and followed the mother into the nearby bushes [shown in feature photo].

“Well done Sgt DiBona, and thank you to the Allenhurst DPW for their assistance,” Schneider said. “It is very rewarding to be working with such good people.”

[Photos courtesy of Allenhurst Police Department]

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