Local charity Friends of the Animals (FOTA) were called to the plight of lone duckling left without their mum and siblings yesterday afternoon (Thursday).
Somehow, the duckling had become stranded from their family and was seen going up and down the Lukely Brook by members of the public – who alerted FOTA.
As they usually do, Friends of the Animals called Edward Albert for advice and he kindly offered to come and help with his specialised equipment.
It took a group of rescuers with nets sometime to hook the duckling out with the little an expert in out-manoeuvring them. With it getting late the only way was for one of the group to jump onto the stones and wait for the duckling to come by.
Due to the duckling being cold and exhausted Ted took the animal into his care for the night.
I have been amused once again by the Echo’s use of the English language –apologies, but I’ve been an English language & literature academic for 50+ years!! In this report, the poor little duckling goes through so many gender pronouns, but never the most appropriate one. First, the poor creature is THEIR, then HIS, and finally HIS/HER! The report seems to strive far too hard to be gender correct, which might be commendable in the case of an abandoned human baby or even an discarded grandparent! But, good grief, this is a DUCKLING, so why can’t the report be content with a good old-fashioned, animal-related IT?!!! (Btw, I always enjoy reading the Island Echo, and I would be quite happy to advise on troublesome points of the English language — even in its Isle of Wight variety — my mother tongue!!)
Well done to all involved.