Tiny survivors are now soaking up the sunshine after a tragic start to life.
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (07 August 2025) – They may be teeny tiny, but the journey of four yellow-billed ducklings has got us ‘in our feels’ all the way from KZN’s Midlands.
The ducklings were admitted to FreeMe Wildlife after a tragic start. Their mother was found deceased on a road along the South Coast, a sad reminder of how easily human and wildlife paths often collide.
Thankfully, a kind-hearted rescuer brought the orphans straight to the centre.
“We recently admitted four Yellow-billed Ducklings, brought in from the South Coast after their mother was sadly found deceased on the road,” shared the FreeMe Wildlife team, with snaps of cute ducklings smaller than the size of their hands.
“While it’s always heartbreaking to receive cases like this, we’re grateful these little ones are now safe in our care.”
After thorough checks, the team found no visible injuries. A silver lining in an otherwise heartbreaking rescue.
Now, just over two weeks later, the four ducklings have grown and are thriving, ditching their heat lamp for sunshine during the day as they begin to explore an outdoor enclosure as teens.
“They’re loving every second. It’s always rewarding to see rescued wildlife thriving,” FreeMe Wildlife wrote in a recent update.
Their recovery is being handled with the utmost care, following the centre’s strictly hands-off approach to ensure animals can one day return to the wild. Wild and wary of people, just as nature intended.
Each year, over 2,000 wild patients come through FreeMe’s doors.
“We love what we do, and how we do it,” the team says.
And it shows.
Sources: Linked above.
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:
Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
by 