Fluffy – The duck who survived a snake

By Jai Longhurst

At Aspen Valley we get calls and emails everyday. This one call was a story of strange events and a happy ending. A woman from Texas enjoys the summers on an island in Georgian Bay. She and her husband always have enjoyed the wildlife on and around the island property. But for 2 summers in a row they have witnessed a mother mallard sitting on her nest waiting for the special day when her clutch would hatch only to have a snake scare her off and eat her eggs. The snake was caught in the third attempt. The mother had been scared off and many of the eggs had been consumed except for 2 lonely eggs – one in the nest and one in the mouth of the snake. The daring lady grabbed the snake, rescued the egg and took both eggs back to the house to show her grandson that was soon to arrive on holiday. She kept the eggs warm never expecting one of the eggs to hatch at the exact moment her grandson peaked into the box. Fluffy was born and quickly became a member of the family. Their family Great Dane and Fluffy would go for strolls around the island and the family would swim together with Fluffy as she floated on a life jacket with the kids. She was greatly cared for but the family knew that Fluffy didn’t realize the true duck she really was. Fluffy needed the companion of other foul to lose her love of the family she had only known if she was to be happy back in the wild where she belonged. It was a very tough drive to Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. There was a lot of tears and questions, possible updated phone call possibilities. But they knew it was the only chance for Fluffy. For the Grandson it was the hardest. It was like losing a friend. Fluffy has now lost all her baby fluff boasting beautiful turquoise wing markings and spends a great deal of time grooming and preening. Fluffy has the companionship of 2 other ducks that have taken her under their wings to introduce her into the duck world. It has been a strange road for a little duck but when she flies for the first time landing on some distant pond with her new family it will the best ending for a special fluffy duck.