Lame ducks no more: Rehabilitated ducks released into the wild in Franklin

FRANKLIN, Wis. (CBS 58) – It was a milestone week for employees at the Wisconsin Humane Society's Wildlife Rehabilitation Center where 28 mallard ducks were released into the wild this past Tuesday.

"They are really, really lucky ducks out there,” said Crystal Sharlow-Schaefer, a wildlife rehabilitator with WHS.

"These mallards have been in our care at the wildlife hospital at the WHS for several weeks. They are now ready to be released they are no longer making baby noises," Sharlow-Schaefer said.

Sharlow-Schaefer got all her ducks in a row at the Wehr Nature Center where the young ducks would start a new life, slowly coaxing them one by one from their carrying cases into the pond.

"Once they realized what was happening they dived right in. They're doing their duck thing out there. I couldn’t be happier,” Sharlow-Schaefer said.

"This pond is perfect habitat for these ducks it also has the lovely name of Mallard Lake. There's also abundant food here and very good protection."

Milwaukee County Park Naturalist Howard Aprill said "It's a feel good story”.

"Mallard Lake was actually excavated by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's. This lake is here due to the hard work of the men that were here at Camp Whitnall in 1933 to 1941,” Aprill said.

The ducks are mostly unrelated but were all admitted as orphans by caring members of the public. Some were collected after their mother was hit by a vehicle and others were rescued after falling into a sewer.

"Every species do have specific requirements. Mallards specifically do imprint very early it's very important they are properly imprinted and properly socialized. This is why we always advice a member of the public not try and raise one on their own,"  Sharlow-Schaefer said.

The mallards shook off their early trauma quickly and took well to Mallard Lake where you're welcome to visit before they fly the coop.

Click here to learn more about WHS’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

Click here to learn more about the Wehr Nature Center.