Thanks to a hard-working volunteer that another New Toronto diving duck was saved.

Credit is being given online to a brave Toronto Wildlife Centre officer who spent several day rescuing a red-breasted Merganser from the waters off Marie Cutis Park.

The Merganser, also known as a diving duck, was weak and in need of help after the officer spotted fishing wire around the bird’s wing.

There “was likely a fracture, or damage, from trying to fly,” the officer wrote on social media on February 22.

It just happened that the rescue volunteer officer with Toronto Wildlife Centre (TWC) was at the office when a call for help came in on a hotline ‘about this beauty,” she said.

Turns out that the officer had been searching the Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Kipling Ave. park area ‘a few times this week but had no luck finding it until today in the icy water.’
“It was unable to fly or deep dive and was in distress,” according to the valiant officer. “I was eventually able to lure it close to shore, net it and get it.”

The injured bird was taken to the TWC for assessment and care.

Center officials are urging people to clean up their fishing lines while fishing or if they see any to throw it in the garbage.

“We need to do better,” the officer said. “Way too many patients come in this way, and sadly don’t make it to get care.”

Rescue staff members are trained or certified in ice rescue, swift water rescue, slope evacuation, and chemical immobilization. The staff has extensive experience working hands-on with wildlife.

If you have found a sick, injured or orphaned wild animal, or a wild animal in distress, please contact our TWC by calling 416-631-0662 to leave a message. Their website is torontowildlifecentre.com