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Duck Question

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From: Tim Stawicki City: Wakeman, OH
This morning on the way to work there was a dead mallard duck on the edge of the road and next to it was another mallard just standing there as if the dead mallard would get up and join it. All I could think to do is push the dead duck off the road so hopefully the other duck wouldn't also get hit. On the way home I stopped and to my surprise the mallard was still sitting next to the dead mallard. What should be done to make sure the living mallard survives?
	Extension Message From: Laura Kammin Visiting Extension Specialist, Pollution Prevention Extension-Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant College Program lkammin@illinois.edu
Hi Tim, Sorry for the slow response. It isn't uncommon for birds to stay nearby a companion that has been hit and killed by a vehicle. Typically they wander away within a few minutes, but sometimes they stay close for a few hours. It was a nice gesture to move the dead mallard off of the road. I do the same as long as the traffic allows me to do so safely.
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