Mallard #24-3669

Admitted
September 5, 2024
Released
March 26, 2025
Rescue Location
Harrisonburg, Virginia
Cause of Admission/Condition
Hit by car
Status
Former Patient
Patient photo

Last Updated Jump to patient updates

On September 5, a private citizen witnessed a shocking event in Harrisonburg: a family of Mallards being struck by a car. Sadly, the mother and three siblings died from the incident, though two juvenile Mallards survived. Harrisonburg Animal Control was called to the scene, where the two remaining Mallards were contained and quickly transported to the Wildlife Center for assessment.
 
On intake, the Center's veterinary team determined that both Mallards sustained multiple injuries. Sadly, Mallard #24-3670 experienced injuries that were not possible to repair. Due to the severity of the injuries and long-term quality of life concerns, the vet team made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize this Mallard.
A radiograph of a juvenile Mallard with a pin extending through its left tibiotarsus and an external fixator.

The other Mallard, #24-3669, faired better, though it still had significant injuries. Radiographs revealed a fracture in its leg along with fractures to multiple toes. A soft, padded bandage was placed to stabilize the fractures until surgery could be performed the following day. On September 6, a thin pin was surgically implanted in the bird's left tibiotarsus along with an external fixator to stabilize the area while the bones healed. Staff also provided anti-inflammatories and pain medications to help alleviate any discomfort.

Vet staff closely monitored the Mallard and eventually fitted a specialized shoe on the bird's left foot to help its toe fractures heal appropriately. On September 18, shortly after the Mallard began partially putting weight on its left leg, the pin was cut to a shorter length to allow greater mobility for physical therapy. During physical therapy sessions, vet staff encouraged the Mallard to use its left leg for five to ten minutes at a time to rebuild muscle strength and mobility. The pin was removed entirely on September 25, and vet staff opted to apply a splint to the bird's foot and ankle at this time to prevent its foot from turning at an abnormal angle.
 
The external fixator was removed on October 9, and once the Mallard's pin sites healed, swim therapy was begun to further build the bird's strength and encourage natural behaviors. A couple of days later, the Mallard was moved to an outdoor enclosure with a pool and allowed to swim freely within the enclosure. The bird's foot is still rotating abnormally, but staff will continue to provide daily physical therapy to encourage appropriate positioning of the foot.
 
The Mallard's prognosis is currently guarded, but vet staff are working tirelessly to give this bird its best chance to return to the wild.

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Patient Updates

Throughout the first half of October, staff closely monitored the Mallard’s feet and legs in the outdoor enclosure, ensuring the duck was walking and swimming normally. A physical exam on October 23 confirmed that the bird’s leg had fully stabilized, which meant that the bird was ready for release.

Finding the right release site was key—Mallards are social birds that thrive in groups. After an extensive search for a pond with an active duck population, Veterinary Intern Dr. Natalie released the Mallard at Lake Shenandoah in Harrisonburg on October 26. Though the duck showed little immediate interest in joining its new flock, the team was still thrilled to see the duck return to the wild.