Tearful moment animal lover reunites a duckling with its siblings after spotting the bird was sick and taking it to a wildlife rehabber
- The tiny animal was struggling to walk and its condition got worse during the day
- It is thought to have had botulism poisoning which affects the nervous system
- Once it was nursed back to health, the duckling was released in Florida, US
A duckling was lovingly reunited with its family after being nursed back to health.
A Reddit user, who goes by the name of Chademr2468, saw the animal was struggling to walk and rescued it.
He took it to a wildlife rehabilitator who looked after the creature until it was ready to be returned to the wild in Florida, US.
The duck is lifted out of the cardboard box and gently placed on the ground ready to be reunited with its siblings. The creature is thought to have had botulism poisoning which left it unable to walk
The video shows the man bent over with a closed cardboard box.
As he opens the lid of the box, the tiny duck can be seen crouched inside.
He then lifts it out and deposits it next to two other ducklings that are watching on.
The duck’s family members quickly rush over and affectionately start rubbing beaks. Its rescuer, who goes by the name of Chademr2468 on Reddit (right), was overcome by the adorable reunion
The birds can be seen lovingly rubbing their beaks against each other while excitedly shaking their tails.
The rescuer said: ‘Recently I noticed one of the baby ducks in my apartment community was having trouble walking.
‘I kept my eye on him and by the end of that day, he was completely immobile.
‘I took him to a wildlife rehabber who believed he had gotten botulism poisoning.
‘After taking care of him and getting him back to good health, she gave me a call so I could take him back to his family.
‘As you can see, all the feels ensued.’
Botulism poisoning occurs when ducks come into contact with a toxin produced by botulinum bacteria.
It affects the nervous system causing paralysis.
The spores live in the bottom of ponds and lakes and can be exposed when hot weather causes water to evaporate.
The animals then feed on the bacteria, which poisons them.