'Lost without her friends': Only duck to survive B.C. coyote attack starts following humans everywhere
The lone duck who survived a coyote attack on a B.C. farm was so bereft she started following the humans around – waddling close behind them as they went about their chores and waiting on the doorstep every time they went inside.
The sad story that ultimately has a happy ending was shared by Jason Croutch of Fraser Valley Rose Farms earlier this month on YouTube.
The family raised three ducks on their Nicomen Island property by hand and Croutch said in the video that the whole family enjoyed having the small flock around. Although coyotes are relatively common in the area, he said the predators don't often get onto the farm itself.
"Unfortunately, we do live in a wild area here and coyotes got two of the ducks. So this duck is the only one left standing -- somehow she escaped them," he said in the video.
"Ducks, they're very social animals, they really like to hang around in a group they don't stray far from the group. And in this case, she is lost without her friends. So she has glommed on to people."
For days, the lonely black duck would follow Croutch, his wife and his kids around everywhere they went.
"She can't stand to be away from you," he said.This screenshot from a video posted to Youtube by Fraser Valley Rose Farms shows three ducks. Two were killed by coyotes, leaving the lone survivor bereft,
At one point, unable to find any members of the Croutch family, the bird made its way to a neighbouring property in search of other humans to follow.
With a vacation upcoming and uncertainty surrounding the coyote situation, Croutch said the family couldn't imagine leaving the duck alone and wasn't in a position to bring new ducks onto the farm.
This screenshot from a video posted to YouTube by Fraser Valley Rose Farms shows a lonely duck who started following humans around after her companions were killed by coyotes.
Luckily, Croutch's wife Lisa has a niece who lives on Pender Island that was willing to foster the duck.
"They're very experienced caretakers of birds and animals so I couldn't think of a better home to put this duck into -- and she's a sweet little duck," Croutch said.
The YouTube video shows Lisa packing up the duck and taking her on the ferry before being dropped off to live among chickens and other fowl.
"Apparently she gets along really, really well with all the other birds which is fantastic, but still has a special penchant for following the humans around which actually, I think, is kind of cute," Croutch said.
The duck has gotten off the property and paid a visit to the neighbours at least once but was safely returned.
"So apparently she's up for her old antics just fine, but it sounds like she's having a really good time over there."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.