By Carrie Eskay
Special to the Alpine Mountaineer
On June 13, at approximately 12:30 p.m., a mother duck and her babies were crossing State Highway 173 at the Fremont intersection. It was a beautiful, sunny, well-lit Saturday.
A large black vehicle did not slow or stop. The driver ran over the mother, killing her instantly, leaving the babies frantic in the middle of the road. The mother was removed from the road, and two women were able to scurry the babies out of the highway to the side where they could not be contained. They disappeared quickly in the brush and, despite extensive efforts to find the ducklings, they were not found.
Calls were made to area rescues, rescuers, wildlife sanctuaries, a local zoo, the sheriff and CHP in efforts to determine if the ducklings had been found by anyone. Despite extensive contacts and connections with mountain groups and individuals, all of whom were concerned and compassionate, the ducklings were not found.
The details of this report are clear and accurate because the author of this article is the one who witnessed the distressing event, took the mama duck out of the street, helped with the ducklings and made follow-up calls and actions which continue as of this writing. The intention of this article is that, most importantly, no more innocent wildlife lives need to be lost and that no one ever has to be traumatized by witnessing such a horrific, preventable event.
It was at this intersection of Fremont and Highway 173 that the author witnessed a mother duck being struck and killed by a vehicle.
It was devastating to witness the death of the mother duck in front of her babies. Immediate efforts had to be made to find the ducklings. The more calls that were made, the more this author learned who does assist in situations such as this and who doesn’t (it is not in their purview).
While feeling hopeless and helpless, it was clear there is a great deal of love, concern and compassion for the wildlife on the mountain. Every contact made reinforced that, while a certain rescuer or first responder may not handle matters related to ducks or other wildlife, they were more than glad to provide a resource of someone else who might help.
In specific relation to the Fremont/173 intersection, readers may be unaware that there is a creek that runs along Fremont and flows under Highway 173. Mothers and babies attempt to cross to get to the creek that continues its journey to the lake. Drivers may not be aware that ducks often cross and are sometimes killed as they try to get across the road to the lake. These mother ducks and other wildlife seeking the lake with a need to cross the highway may not move quickly enough to get out of the way of oncoming traffic. We know roads encircle the lake and risk is everywhere in relation to mother ducks, ducklings and others who need to cross.
Much was learned from outreach efforts over the past two weeks. Wildlife rescues and sanctuaries are desperately in need of volunteers; law enforcement officers will give of their time while offering empathy to a struggling person; people will pray with you and share in your pain. It is evident that support on the mountain is present in full force.
The hope is that this article serves as a tragic and sad reminder that tragedies can be avoided with some care and caution. Wildlife needs to cross the roads for multiple reasons; these include to access food sources, to find housing, to hibernate, to get away from predators and if they are frightened and startled.
Please watch the roads for the wildlife who can come out of nowhere and may not move quickly enough to get out of the way. Imagine what it must feel like to be in the street and have a vehicle coming at you. As residents up here, there is a responsibility to remember that we are in their world and that slowing down can save a life – it could be wildlife or a person.
With appreciation to the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station, CHP-Arrowhead|Running Springs, Big Bear Alpine Zoo, The Pond Digger Wildlife Rehab, Wildhaven Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, San Bernardino County Animal Care and Control and the unnamed woman and a gentleman who helped and tried to catch the babies.
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