Mallard Duck Release & Their Importance in the Wetlands

Patient Release: Mallard ducklings!

Our Wildlife Hospital at Cedar Run treats hundreds of Mallard ducklings each summer that have been orphaned for some reason. Ducklings will ALWAYS be with their mothers, so finding a duckling alone means that the baby fell behind or something happened to the family. Like other baby wild animals that we treat, Mallards require months of care before they are able to be released. As you can see, they are so happy to be out on this beautiful lake enjoying the open water!

Release Video: Mallard Duckling Release 2022

Like other rehabilitation centers across the country, the Wildlife Hospital at Cedar Run still faces the challenges of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Ducks, such as these Mallards, can be asymptomatic carriers of the virus and pose a risk if exposed to other susceptible species that succumb to the virus. For that reason, our Rehabilitators have set up multiple quarantine areas to keep species separate and are taking extreme measures to make sure that everyone is safe, patient and resident animals alike. Our Rehabilitators wanted to be able to continue to provide care to all species, no matter what their risk of HPAI, so these quarantine areas were necessary and have been working well to keep everyone safe.

Do not attempt to keep wild ducklings of any species as pets! Like other wildlife they can carry disease and parasites that are problematic for humans and pets. In addition, improper diets can lead to irreversible deformities that would prevent these animals from surviving in the wild. Please keep wildlife wild and take any orphaned ducklings to the closest licensed Rehabilitator as soon as possible.

To read more about how Mallard Ducks can impact our ecosystem and their important roles in the water click here: Learn More

If you have questions regarding native New Jersey wildlife please contact our Wildlife Hospital at 856-983-3329 ext. 107.