Two men, including Carlos Altamirano, stopped traffic on a busy British Columbia highway to help a family of ducks cross safely.
The incident highlights the risks wildlife face in urban corridors and the spontaneous civic actions taken to mitigate animal casualties in high-traffic areas.
The event occurred April 15 [1] at the intersection of Lougheed Highway and 203 Street in Maple Ridge. The two men intervened to prevent the ducks from being struck by vehicles.
According to reports, the intervention was necessary to prevent the ducks from being harmed by the flow of traffic [1]. The action ensured that the ducklings, described as babies, were not killed while attempting to navigate the busy thoroughfare [1].
Altamirano and his companion managed the traffic flow to create a safe passage for the animals. This type of unplanned traffic disruption is rare on major highways, where vehicle speeds and volumes typically make such rescues dangerous for both the humans and the animals involved.
Local observers noted the intersection of Lougheed Highway and 203 Street as a high-traffic zone, increasing the likelihood of wildlife collisions. The successful crossing of the duck family avoided a common occurrence in the region where urban sprawl meets natural habitats.
“Two men stopped traffic on a busy British Columbia highway to help a family of ducks cross safely.”
This incident underscores the ongoing tension between urban infrastructure and wildlife migration. While individual acts of kindness can save specific animals, the reliance on citizens to stop highway traffic indicates a lack of dedicated wildlife crossings in rapidly developing areas of British Columbia.
