Mongezi says it was great to see how people rallied together to save the little duck… and it was also weirdly fulfilling.
Johannesburg, South Africa (20 February 2022) – A group of strangers at a park banded together to save a little duck with a fishing line caught around his leg.
Mongezi and Paballo Mtati were at a park down the road from their house feeding the ducks when they noticed that one had a fishing line tied on its foot.
“This was worrying because this little guy was limping badly, swimming at an angle and looking like the foot won’t last much longer. It was also very skittish and untrusting.”
The couple showed one of the security guards and suggested that he help them get a net, but he seemed disinterested. They then approached some young people who were fishing at the same dam.
“They didn’t have a net, but they tried to catch it. We all failed, and the bread was finished. They were now floating away and surely nervous of these dodgy humans who are trying to catch their babies.”
They noticed another group on the other side who had a net. The couple, the young kids and the new group worked together to try to catch the little duck. After much trial, error – and getting attacked by the parents – they caught it!
They called the local SPCA, who told Mongezi that they didn’t have vehicles to send. Even though they are just a few blocks out, the concerned animal lover assumed that they were also understaffed.
The duck was in immense pain as the group tried to cut the fishing line from its now purple foot. The parents and the rest of the ducklings surrounded them, and there were now nearly ten people invested in the life welfare of this tiny and brave little guy.
Eventually, they were able to cut off the fishing line and set the duck free. Mongezi says that the little bird limped away with an angry yet thankful glare.
He went back to the park two weeks later and couldn’t tell which one it was. A good sign as all the ducks were swimming happily together.
“It was great to see how people rallied together to contribute to another life, and this was weirdly fulfilling.”
Mongezi believes that we all are inherently good, and if we all do our little bit of good together, then the world would be a much better place.
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