VIDEO: Labrador 'Adopts' 9 Orphaned Ducklings
STANSTED, Essex, United Kingdom (CBS4) -- When nine tiny ducklings were found waddling around the grounds of Mountfitchet Castle, with their mom nowhere in sight, staff members were concerned.
Luckily, a 10-year-old yellow Labrador named Fred also lives at the castle and was willing to step in as a sort of surrogate parent.
Orphaned ducklings adopted by resident dog at Mountfitchet CastleNine lives for nine ducklings Fred the resident dog at the Castle stepped up to the challenge when nine little ducklings became orphaned last Thursday. The ducklings' mum had disappeared and a member of staff found them waddling around the castle grounds alone. The team were very worried about the ducklings but Fred, a 10 year old Labrador, immediately took to them and has been babysitting ever since.
Posted by Mountfitchet Castle on Monday, May 21, 2018
"Fred the resident dog at the Castle stepped up to the challenge when nine little ducklings became orphaned last Thursday," officials said on Facebook.
Officials said Fred "immediately took to them and has been babysitting ever since."
Photos posted online show the ducklings cuddled up around the dog, riding in a row along his back and even sitting on top of his head.
Dog 'adopts' nine orphaned ducklings at Essex castle https://t.co/7JQ7C87lHW pic.twitter.com/YPiPueBu4Y
— BBC Essex (@BBCEssex) May 21, 2018
Owner of dog says it's a pleasure to see his pet adopting orphaned ducklings at his north Essex home https://t.co/Gh133Vgn7J pic.twitter.com/6ZH1j3JurY
— BBC Essex (@BBCEssex) May 21, 2018
The BBC quoted castle owner Jeremy Goldsmith as saying that Fred has also looked after an injured squirrel in the past.