A family of ducks stranded on a rooftop in Reading received an unexpected lifeline on Wednesday thanks to the quick response of the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service.
At approximately midday on April 23, crews from Caversham Road Fire Station were dispatched to Minster Street following reports of ducks trapped on top of a building. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a mother duck and her eight ducklings in need of assistance.
Using specialist equipment and careful coordination, the crew successfully retrieved all nine birds from the rooftop. The ducks, believed to have become disoriented after nesting in an elevated location, were uninjured but unable to descend safely on their own.
Once rescued, the birds were handed over to Swan Lifeline, a local charity dedicated to the care and rehabilitation of waterfowl.
A spokesperson for the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service said, “We’re always happy to assist in situations like these where animals are in distress. The safety of all lives—human or animal—is a priority for us.”
Members of the public gathered nearby to watch the delicate rescue operation unfold, applauding the crew’s efforts as the ducks were safely lowered to ground level.
Swan Lifeline has confirmed that the ducks are doing well and will be released back into a more suitable natural habitat once they’re ready.
This light-hearted rescue brought smiles to many in the town centre, serving as a reminder of the diverse and often unexpected roles local emergency services take on in their daily work.
