Along a quiet roadside near the lake, a heartbreaking scene stopped one man in his tracks.
A mother Wood Duck was tangled tightly in a discarded trash net — exhausted, frightened, and struggling to breathe. Every movement only pulled the net tighter around her small body.
Nearby, her two tiny ducklings stood helplessly by the road, calling out for their mother and refusing to leave her side. They waited… not understanding why she couldn’t follow them to the water.
Knowing time was running out, the man approached slowly and carefully. With gentle hands, he began removing the net strand by strand, making sure not to cause more harm. As the net loosened, the mother duck finally began to breathe freely again.
But the rescue didn’t end there.
To keep the family safe from traffic, he gently gathered the mother and her two ducklings and carried them to the lake. Moments later, they were released back into the water — reunited, safe, and free.
This rescue is a powerful reminder:
A single piece of litter can end a life.
One kind act can save an entire family.
Watch the full rescue and remember: wildlife depends on us to do better.