HOKKAIDO, May 10 (News On Japan) - A mother duck and her eight ducklings were safely guided across a busy street in Obihiro, Hokkaido on Thursday, thanks to the quick response of local police.
The ducks were first spotted by a passerby in a parking lot, where they appeared to be targeted by crows. The observer noticed that the duck family was attempting to cross a busy road and promptly contacted the police.
Officers quickly arrived at the scene and began directing traffic to ensure the ducks could cross safely. Over the course of 40 minutes, the mother duck and her ducklings waddled approximately 500 meters, eventually reaching a nearby river without incident.
In cities across Japan, it is not uncommon to see traffic come to a gentle halt—not for construction or human pedestrians, but for wildlife in need of a helping hand. A series of recent events has highlighted Japan’s quiet but enduring commitment to peaceful coexistence with animals, even amid its densely populated urban environments.
In one instance, captured on video in July 2022, a mother duck and her ducklings were spotted attempting to cross a rain-slicked road in Kyoto. As cars slowed to a stop, nearby pedestrians took swift and gentle action. Several people opened umbrellas and formed a human barrier to shield the duck family from traffic, carefully guiding them across the pavement and onto a safer path toward a nearby stream. The spontaneous effort drew praise online, with many noting the grace and calmness with which bystanders prioritized the safety of the animals despite the drizzle and lunchtime foot traffic.
A similar scene had unfolded three years earlier, also in Kyoto. In June 2019, a group of riot police officers was unexpectedly called into action—not for crowd control, but for escorting a family of ducks. A mother duck and her ten ducklings had wandered into a busy street in the city center, appearing disoriented as they tried to reach water. Officers paused their patrol to form a protective circle around the duck family, using gloved hands and soft verbal cues to keep the group moving in the right direction. They patiently ushered the ducklings across the road and into a safe canal, an act that sparked admiration both locally and overseas when a video of the moment circulated online. The scene contrasted strikingly with the officers’ usual duties, offering a rare, tender glimpse into the human side of policing in Japan.
Not all animal crossings are as light-hearted. In July 2014, residents in Kyoto witnessed a surreal encounter when a Japanese giant salamander, an elusive and endangered species native to the region’s rivers, was spotted crawling out of the Kamo River and onto a busy riverside walkway in broad daylight. The creature, known for its prehistoric appearance and nocturnal habits, caused alarm among pedestrians unfamiliar with its presence. Several people alerted the authorities, prompting local police to respond. Officers cordoned off the area and stood guard to ensure the animal would not be harmed or disturbed. After a few hours of resting and aimless shuffling, the salamander eventually retreated into the river. Experts later said the sighting was rare, as the species typically avoids contact with humans and only surfaces during specific environmental conditions. The police response was lauded by conservationists, who viewed the act as a small but meaningful gesture of respect toward Japan’s native wildlife.
Source: HBCニュース 北海道放送
