Albert the Duck Blog

Albert is outside

2008-04-02T14:21:00Z

See Albert back outside
in Bill's report that aired Tuesday.

Bill will do another story in a week or so looking for a permanent home for Albert.

Albert gets bandage off

2008-03-28T14:05:00Z

Today was a great day for Albert - he got his leg bandage off.

While the actual process of removing the bandage was slightly stressful, liberating his leg seemed to please him immensely. The leg looks good, there is no swelling or sign of infection. After the bandage came off Albert tried out his leg and it seemed fine as the pictures will show you. This is the kind of progress that is so rewarding when caring for sick and injured animals - getting closer to full recovery.

Albert is walking well

2008-03-27T13:47:00Z

Albert's day was another quiet one spent inside in his pen with his roommate. He displays a sure step with no limp anymore and the bandage supporting his sprained leg will probably be removed tomorrow so he can finish building up the muscles in that leg. If he does well after the bandage is removed he will be moving outside to join our many other domestics in the barnyard. I know he will be delighted with that move. Join us tomorrow to see how it all turns out.

Albert warms towards his friend

2008-03-25T19:44:00Z

Today Albert has spent most of the day resting, sitting in his pen and keeping weight off his sore leg. He and his new roommate have become good friends and often sit next to each other in their pen. Albert is eating and drinking well and enjoying being inside the warm house on cold, windy days like today. We are very pleased with his progress, and he may get his leg bandage removed in a few days.

Albert knows how lucky he is to be warm and have constant access to food and water. His hope is that humans will remember to feed the wild birds and animals that live outdoors, and on really windy days like today take a quick walk around your yard to make sure no baby squirrels have blown from their nest.

Albert meets a friend

2008-03-25T13:13:00Z

Albert had a quiet, restful day today after so much activity on Easter. He spent most of the day just sitting, resting, munching on his food and drinking (and sometimes sitting) in his water.

In the afternoon he was introduced to one of the female Pekin (white, domestic) ducks from the outdoor pen that needed to come in for some R & R. He and and his new roommate just sat at opposite sides of the pen and quacked to each other in their duck language. Since she came in the late afternoon their interaction did not go much farther than casual quacking before it was lights out for the night.

Albert would like to remind everyone that spring is time for his wild cousins to have their babies. He hopes that anyone finding an orphaned baby of any kind will first contact their nearest licensed rehabilitator to see what would be the proper action to take.

Albert the Duck meets the Easter Bunny

2008-03-24T12:47:00Z

The Easter bunny was able to find Albert at his new location and delivered a basket of fresh greens, munchie duck pellets, tasty hard boiled eggs, and of course an Easter cookie (instead of girl scout cookies). Albert seemed very happy to find his basket.

He is stronger and steadier every day. He seems happy and "talks" to visitors. Because he is not a wild duck he can interact with anyone who visits him.

Albert's Easter wish is that anyone who got a baby duck from the Easter bunny will not just dump it when it gets older. Most baby ducks sold in this manner are actually domestic and cannot survive well on their own. The need managed care just like any other farm animal.

Albert's first 24 hours in Rehab

2008-03-24T12:39:00Z

Albert's first 24 hours with Mallard Marsh Wildlife Rehabilitation Center have been calm and quiet. It was decided to bandage his right ankle, even though it wasn't broken, in order to give it support and make it easier for him to walk. As soon as he was returned to his pen after bandaging he was walking much stronger and steadier. He is also receiving antibiotics as a precaution against any infections or internal illness.

A surprise & good news on Albert

2008-03-21T22:19:00Z

On Friday Bill updated Albert's progress on TV.

See Bill's Update here.

As you see in Bill's report, We were surprised when the rehabilitator determined that Albert isn't a wild duck at all, he is an abandoned pet. She also had good news on his leg, it is not broken, Albert has frostbite. With some loving care, we expect a full recovery. Bill can't do a story on Albert's progress on TV everyday, so we will use this blog to keep you up to date on Albert's progress.

Albert gets loving care

2008-03-21T19:28:00Z

After the rescue Albert the Duck spend a warm & cozy night with his rescuers.

Today Bill delivered Albert into the loving hands of Carole Dangler, a state and federally licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator.

See video of how Albert is doing today, hear the diagnosis on Albert's leg and Carole reveals a surprise about Albert's history. That is tonight on Action News at 5pm.

Behind the scenes at Call Bill for Action Rescue of Albert the Duck

2008-03-21T18:58:00Z

Bill Spencer's effort to rescue an injured duck from Kohn Lake in Heritage Park in Taylor Michigan has touched the hearts of many Channel 7 viewers.    Animal lovers have been phoning the newsroom asking how Albert is doing.   So Bill thought we would give Albert the Duck his own blog here on WXYZ.com, so viewers can track his daily progress.

First, here's the story of how Bill and residents of Taylor came together to save Albert.

On Thursday, March 20th, 2008 Bill was working on his story scheduled to air in the 5pm newscast that day.   His producers phone rang around 3pm, with a request to help rescue an injured Duck. Bill dropped his previously scheduled story, and jumped in a live truck with his photojournalist Johnny Sartin and rushed out to see what could be done.    By 5pm Bill had started assembling a team to save Albert. The first attempts to lure Albert to the shore didn't work. Was going to be a major effort.
See Bill's 5pm report here.

By the time his 5pm live report was over Bill had quite a crowd assembled.   He yelled out asking if anyone had a boat, which was needed because the ice was too thin to support anyone.   A local resident rushed home and got his Kayak.    Animal control Officer Dave Morrosi got in the Kayak and deftly navigated over the ice in a low speed chase of the injured duck.   He finally netted Albert, and brought him in to safety.
See Bill's 6pm live report here