Chantel Jensen from Nutrition Services was walking through the parking lot at Utah Valley Hospital early one morning recently on her way to work. Sitting in the gutter was a momma duck with 13 ducklings.
Chantel says it took a while for the ducklings to figure out how to follow their momma over the curb
Chantel was worried for the duck’s safety because they were right by the entrance of the parking lot. As she watched the ducks, the momma set off and waddled further into the parking lot. Chantel followed alongside as they headed toward 500 West. She thought they might try to cross the busy street, so she positioned herself between the road and the ducks and called for help. Laurel Rowley and Annette Meldrum came out to help watch the ducks so they could call Provo City Animal Control.
A woman from Animal Control soon arrived and she was able to snare the momma duck in a net, then the caregivers helped catch all the ducklings. The birds all transported to a safe location.
“We all felt we’d made a difference and protected this little family from a dangerous situation,” Chantel says. “Not everyone that comes to the hospital can tell you what they need.”