Ducks are social animals who prefer to live with companions. They form close bonds with other members of their flock. This can be seen in one TikTok video which has been viewed over five million times on the platform. Posted by @myprideandducks, the adorable video shows two ducks at an Australian animal sanctuary protecting their disabled friend. 

@myprideandducks

I didn’t realise until watching the video back later that they placed Cleo in between them when they were walking home, even though she walks so much slower than them! I love ducks!

♬ original sound – My Pride and Ducks

When Annette Calarco first rescued Cleopatra (known as Cleo), she was advised to put her down. Cleo has a disability stemming from not receiving adequate nutrition when she was younger. This has caused the duck mobility issues and makes it more difficult for her to walk. Luckily, the sanctuary has a pond where Cleo and the other two flock members Henrietta and Gertrude can spend their days. Ducks are waterfowl who prefer to spend much of their time in or near the water. For Cleo, spending the day in the water relieves pressure on her joints and gives her a relatively pain-free life. Calarco carries Cleo to and from the pond each day to ensure she stays off her feet as much as possible. 

Although the ducks usually quack to let Calarco know they are ready to go home, recently they have been quietly returning by themselves. Calarco suspects this is so that they can sneak into the vegetable garden rather than return to their enclosure. 

In the viral video, Calarco shows how Henrietta and Gertrude protect Cleo on their unsanctioned walks home. Despite her slow pace, they remain near her. In the video, the trio of ducks can be seen walking back with Cleo placed in the middle of the flock to offer her extra protection. Calarco approaches them and picks up Cleo to carry her home, where the three duck friends receive their dinner. Viewers loved the way that Henrietta and Gerturde flanked Cleo and escorted her home safely. “Going slow for Cleo…bless their hearts”, reads one comment left by AaronLee.

We encourage everyone thinking of getting a pet to adopt instead of shopping. Read more resources about adopting animals on One Green Planet, including 7 Reasons to Adopt Your Next Furry Best Friend, 5 Reasons Why Everyone Should Adopt a Pet, and These Heartwarming Before and After Pictures of Adopted Rescue Animals Will Make Your Day! Read tips for pet adoptions and what to consider before adopting an animal. We recommend using these apps to find shelter dogs near you!

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