Juvenile cormorant has a new lease on life thanks to residents, Mission Viejo Animal Officer and local firefighters

A wayward duck went on its merry way after being rescued from netting high above a skate park.

On Monday, Mission Viejo Animal Services received several reports from concerned citizens about a duck that had flown into the netting at the Laguna Niguel Skate and Soccer Park on Alicia Parkway.

Senior Animal Services Officer Werner arrived at the park within minutes of receiving the call to find the duck, a juvenile double-crested Cormorant, stuck about 15 to 20 feet up in the air. With the bird out of Officer Werner’s reach, he called the Orange County Fire Authority to see if they could lend a hand, and Engine 39 responded to the scene. Using a ladder, a firefighter was able to release the duck from the netting, and Officer Werner captured it to check for any injuries the bird could’ve sustained during its ill-fated flight into the netting.

“Upon examination and after biting me several times, it was clear the duck was not injured and ready to be released,” Officer Werner said. “So, I drove the cormorant a short distance away and released it into a body of water. A special thank you to OCFA Engine 39 for their assistance!”