Car mats to keep rare chicks dry

The car mats help keep the ducklings dry and hygienic

Staff at a Wearside wildlife reserve are appealing for donations of old car mats to help keep ducklings dry.

Wardens at Washington Wetland Centre need more rubber mats for the floors of the rearing units where newly-hatched endangered chicks are monitored.

The mats keep them dry during the first few weeks of their lives.

However, the style that works best is no longer being produced and there is concern that current supplies will run out during the breeding season.

In the wild, the ducklings' parents would do the job of the car mats, making sure the young birds' downy feathers were kept clean and dry after a trip to the pond to feed.

'Catch a chill'

But because the birds bred at the centre are endangered and need to be carefully monitored, the wardens care for them until they are strong enough to look after themselves.

Bec Jones, animal management warden, said: "We use the mats with the 'nobbles' because they are brilliant at trapping dirt and excess water, so the chicks don't sit around in unhygienic conditions or catch a chill from the damp.

"But I just can't seem to buy them anywhere.

"At the moment, the birds are hatching at a pace we can keep up with, as the older ones are moved into the outdoor pens in time for the younger ones to move in.

"But the rearing units are almost full and the empty ones don't have car mats lining them, so we really are desperate for any donations."