All due to a heartless and outdated policy that bars all harbour staff from rescuing the birds, for fear of a fine and being fired.
I spoke to BC SPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (Wild ARC) and they informed me that this is sadly a recurring problem. Every spring, the momma ducks bring their babies down there, looking for the closest available water source. However they don't look for a way out, and the baby ducklings are then stuck in the water. Left to eventually be sucked out by the tide, drown, or be eaten by another animal.
Because Wild Arc is a volunteer run organization and they do not have the backing or funding to force a ramp through, it is up to animal lovers like you and me to be the voice for these ducklings. I have contacted CHEK News: Official Page and the Times Colonist and left messages with them, as well as the harbour authority office. If you agree that these bird don't deserve to just be left to slowly die one by one every spring, then please be a voice for them & help fight to have an annual, temporary spring ramp installed at the Victoria harbour.
*** EDITED, AS I AM NOW UNSURE HOW LONG THE RAMP HAS BEEN BEING PUSHED, HOWEVER THIS IS A YEARLY RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE DUCKLINGS GETTING STUCK ***
