At a Glance
- 200 ducks were rescued from a box truck in Palmdale on January 14 after their owner died
- The birds were safely transported to care centers the same day
- Legal owners, Never Ending Quails, reclaimed the flock on January 15
- Why it matters: Quick teamwork ensured the animals were protected and returned within 24 hours
Animal-control officers staged an urgent rescue when they discovered 200 ducks trapped inside a box truck north of Los Angeles. The situation unfolded in Palmdale after the birds’ owner passed away, leaving the animals without care.
County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control revealed the discovery in a Facebook post on Wednesday, January 14. Officers initially had no information on where the ducks were headed or who was responsible for them.
The Rescue Operation
California Highway Patrol requested assistance after finding the ducks inside the sealed vehicle. Palmdale Animal Care Center personnel arrived and focused on moving the birds to safety.
Key steps taken:
- All 200 ducks were removed from the truck
- Staff transported them to care centers across Lancaster, Palmdale, and Castaic
- The animals received food, water, and temporary shelter
- Officials began tracing ownership records
“This morning, our Palmdale ACC officers responded to a heartbreaking and unusual situation,” the department wrote. “With no information about where the ducks were going or who was responsible for them, our priority was clear: get them to safety.”
Reuniting with the Rightful Owners
Within 24 hours, the legal owners contacted authorities. Representatives from Never Ending Quails reached the Lancaster Animal Care Center on Thursday, January 15, and provided proof of ownership.
After verifying the paperwork, animal-control staff released the entire flock back to the organization. An agency update confirmed, “Animals have since been returned to legal owners.”
County officials credited collaboration for the swift outcome. “When the unexpected occurs, teamwork and compassion matter,” the Facebook post noted. “We’re grateful to the Lancaster, Palmdale, and Castaic ACC staff for collaborating to get these animals to safety.”
A History of Duck Rescues
The Palmdale case is the latest in a series of creative duck rescues across California:
| Date | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|
| April 2021 | Hayward | Officer used cell-phone duck sounds to lure 11 ducklings from a storm drain |
| April 2021 | England | Couple hand-raised a duckling named Freda, who later returned with 11 offspring |
Officer Susan Perez of the Hayward Police Department played “mama duck sounds” to coax the stranded ducklings toward her after hearing their mother quacking loudly nearby.
Phil and Julia Garner experienced a similar surprise when Freda, a duckling they had nurtured until fall 2022, reappeared the following spring with her own brood of 11. “Going from one duckling to 11 was chaos,” Phil said. “They need to swim, they need to wash themselves. So we’ve got tubs everywhere. The garden looks like a bomb site, but I’m not bothered.”
Key Takeaways
- Rapid response by multiple agencies prevented injury or loss of the birds
- Clear protocols for ownership verification enabled a same-week return
- Community awareness and prompt reporting remain crucial for animal welfare
