Two creatures were alone on the green, hidden by shadows and abandoned where few would ever think to look. They huddled together under the quiet sky, trembling and exposed.
Nobody knew how long they had been waiting or why they had been left behind. What was clear was their desperate need for help.
When rescuers arrived, every moment felt urgent. What followed became a story of compassion, hope, and a chance at safety.
Found On The Fairway
When two young ducks appeared on the Crosswinds Golf Course in Perrysburg, Ohio, their presence puzzled golfers. The pair lingered near the 10th and 11th holes, edging closer to strangers as if searching for comfort.
“We were told that these two precious angels were hanging out at the 10th and 11th holes, trying to make friends with golfers for at least two weeks to a month,” Matt Lyson of Michigan Duck Rescue and Sanctuary wrote in a Facebook post.
The ducks were neglected.
“They were so starved, it is no surprise they were seeking attention. I was also so surprised that they made it that long, as coyotes were known to traverse the course frequently,” Lyson added.
He first heard about the ducks through Lisa at Mid-Ohio Waterfowl. Despite an already full rescue schedule in Michigan, he and his friend Mike drove to Ohio, determined to bring the birds to safety.
A Gentle Rescue
When Lyson and Mike arrived at Crosswinds, staff and golfers welcomed them, relieved that help had finally come. People had tried to keep the ducks fed with small scraps, but everyone knew they needed more than that to survive.
The rescuers borrowed a golf cart and tracked the birds to a nearby watering hole. Two kind finders were already coaxing them with a bag of nuts, giving Lyson and Mike the perfect chance. Lyson sprinkled a few nuts on the green, and soon the hungry ducks waddled near.
In one careful move, Lyson scooped up the runner while Mike secured the timid Pekin. The frightened pair were finally safe in caring hands.
Once at the sanctuary, their frail condition spoke louder than words. They were undernourished and weak, but with soft bedding, steady meals, and gentle care, healing could finally begin.
For Lyson and his team, it was one rescue among many, but each life saved holds meaning. Thanks to the kindness of strangers and the dedication of Michigan Duck Rescue and Sanctuary, two little souls who once wandered the fairways now face a future filled with safety and love.