A mother grebe was killed by a predatory fish while leading her 11 ducklings in Warsaw’s Royal Łazienki Park on May 2, 2026, prompting a swift rescue operation.
Dramatic Rescue Operation
Today’s attempt to move a family of grebes from the Royal Łazienki Park to a safer aquatic environment ended tragically. The mother, leading 11 ducklings, was attacked by a predatory fish immediately after entering the pond.
Despite the mother’s death, quick action by the Warsaw Greenery Board, the Warsaw Municipal Guard Eco Patrol, Royal Łazienki Park staff, and volunteers ensured the orphaned ducklings were rescued and transported to the Bird Asylum at the Warsaw Zoo.
The Incident
The event occurred on Saturday, May 2, 2026, during the grebes’ migration from the Royal Łazienki area. This annual journey requires careful attention from services and volunteers, as ducklings are vulnerable while reaching the water.
The threat materialized suddenly upon entering the pond, with the mother attacked by a predatory fish, preliminarily identified as a catfish. The ducklings were left without care in a situation where they had no chance of survival.
Intervention and Rescue
Following the attack, a coordinated intervention was launched involving the Warsaw Greenery Board, the Warsaw Municipal Guard Eco Patrol, Royal Łazienki Park staff, and volunteers. Their swift response allowed all the ducklings to be captured and safely transported to the Bird Asylum at the Warsaw Zoo.
Natural Predation and the Ducklings’ Needs
According to Andżelika Gackowska, Head of the Bird Asylum at the Warsaw Zoo, while such events are difficult to witness, predatory attacks are a natural part of wildlife. In a natural environment, ducklings learn to recognize threats, find food, and function in the water from their mother.
The sudden loss of their mother in these dramatic circumstances has left the young vulnerable. Without intervention, the orphaned ducklings would likely have fallen prey to predators.
Finding a Foster Mother
Grebe ducklings are precocial, meaning they can forage for food independently from hatching. However, they still require their mother’s guidance for safety and survival. The mother acts as a guide, showing them what to eat, how to avoid danger, and how to navigate the water.
The Bird Asylum’s goal is not long-term care but to find a foster mother for the ducklings. They are collaborating with ornithologists and grebe caretakers to introduce the ducklings to another female with a similarly aged brood.
The Adoption Process
Adoption requires caution and timing. First, a duck mother with young of a similar age must be located on the water. Then, without disturbing the birds, attention is drawn to the ducklings. Duck mothers strongly react to the sounds of young and usually swim closer, allowing the orphaned ducklings to be released into the new family.
The Bird Asylum notes that grebes and other duck mothers often readily adopt additional young.
Temporary Care at the Asylum
Until a foster mother is found, the ducklings remain under the care of the Bird Asylum team. They receive appropriate food, reside in a prepared enclosure with a shallow pool, and are kept warm with a heat lamp to help them cope with the loss of their mother.
Guidance for Finding Solitary Ducklings
Authorities remind the public to check for parents or a nest if finding solitary ducklings. If safe return is impossible, report the situation to the Municipal Guard at 986 or deliver the bird to the Bird Reception Point at the Warsaw Zoo Bird Asylum.
A Positive Outcome Despite Tragedy
Today’s story began tragically, but thanks to human intervention, it did not end in the death of the entire grebe family. The priority now is to find a new mother for the 11 orphaned ducklings to guide them through their early days in their natural environment.