Cats and birds can be a risky combination when put together. The natural instinct of a cat is to hunt any bird they come across. However, there are exceptions to this rule. Sometimes, the protective instinct of a cat can override its hunting instincts.
A couple in Clara, County Offaly, Ireland, had a unique experience that exemplified this.
Ronan and Emma Lally became worried when three ducklings went missing from their small farm. The ducklings had just hatched that day, and anything could have happened to them. Ronan had a suspicion that their cat Della might be responsible for their disappearance.
His suspicion turned out to be correct.
They discovered Della holding onto one of the ducklings, with the baby’s head in her mouth.
In a moment of panic, Ronan and Emma feared they might not reach the duckling in time to prevent any harm. However, Emma noticed that Della wasn’t acting aggressively. In a video shared by LFC 1892, Emma exclaimed, “I was like, Ronan, she’s not actually forcefully holding the duck!”
Despite their initial concerns, the couple observed that Della seemed to have a nurturing instinct towards the ducklings. They decided to separate the cat from the ducks, but the ducklings kept returning to Della, who embraced them and protected them with her paw. The ducklings even tried to nurse from their new feline mother.
Emma expressed her amazement at the bond between Della and the ducklings, stating, “They love each other, you can’t break this bond. It’s amazing.”
An Unusual, But Adorable Bond
Normally, ducklings don’t nurse as they are ready to find food on their own from birth. However, being close to Della made them feel secure and provided warmth. Having just given birth herself, Della’s maternal instincts kicked in, prompting her to protect and care for the ducklings.
Even after the initial bonding period, Della continued to show affection towards the ducklings.
Ronan, initially concerned about the safety of the ducklings, eventually recognized the bond between Della and her adopted children. As a midwife, Emma compared the love between Della and the ducklings to the love she witnesses daily in the labor ward.
Emma described the bond between the furry and feathered family, saying, “There was just so much love there, you know. I see it everyday in the labor ward. They just want to hold those babies tight and close, it’s just a moment that lasts forever and I could see that happening with the cat and the ducks.”
The Bond Remained as the Ducklings Grew
Even after a week, the ducklings continued to snuggle with their mama cat and their kitten siblings. However, the ducklings grew faster than the tabby kittens, prompting them to explore beyond the nest at an early stage, much to Della’s disapproval.
As nature intended, the ducklings found their independence sooner than the kittens.
Despite growing into ducks, the ducklings continued to show affection towards their feline mother.
It’s a beautiful reminder that a mother’s love knows no boundaries.
H/T: Reshareworthy.com
Feature Image: screenshot, LFC 1892/YouTube
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