Cwmbran duck gets wheelchair after injuring leg while mating

Family pet Opi was left limp after a mating session went wrong and could no longer waddle happily.

The duck injured its right leg while trying to mate with a female and has struggled to walk ever since.

Emily Davies with her pet duck Opi (Image: Wales news service) Opi's owner, 20-year-old Emily Davies, turned makeshift medic to give it some help.

She built the three-year-old duck a homemade wheelchair so it could waddle along in a harness and lead, allowing its injured webbed foot to be raised off the floor.

Opi – who Ms Davies has owned since a duckling – is learning how to hop along to join her on days out to boating lakes and parks.

There is a sign attached to the back of the wheelchair saying: “I am not a toy. I am disabled. Please allow me some room.”

As well as Opi, Ms Davies owns four ducks, two dogs, two conures, and a cat.

She said: “I would describe him as a very sassy, charismatic, and charming little duck. He is a baby.

“Opi hurt his leg while trying to mate with a female. They were both quite inexperienced.

Emily Davies with her pet duck Opi (Image: Wales news service) “I didn't see the incident but I did see the aftermath and he couldn't get up or walk. She was a novice too and unfortunately passed away.”

Ms Davies said Opi “has good days and bad days” with his leg.

The family decided to build a wheelchair to help it walk after seeing dogs use similar devices.

Ms Davies added: “You can imagine what people say when they see him. They ask if he is alright and why is he in a wheelchair, but he seems to like it.

“I explain that I'm trying to help him walk again. I take him on days out to the boating lake, to town or to the park near our home.

“He is not your typical duck – I can tell you that for free – he prefers the company of humans to animals.”