Ducklings use ramp to waddle into Capitol Reflecting Pool

May 17 (UPI) -- A family of ducks in Washington D.C. used a newly constructed ramp to waddle their way into the U.S. Capitol Reflecting Pool.

The Architect of the Capitol shared video of several ducklings climbing up one of two special duck ramps to enjoy a swim in the massive six acre pool.

"Duckling update: Ramp in Use!" The post stated.

AOC director of Planning and Project Management Division Nancy Skinkle, collaborated with not-for-profit organization City Wildlife to understand the needs of ducklings and create the helpful ramps.

"After consultation with City Wildlife, we held a design charrette to determine the best ramp design to allow ducks of all ages to enter and exit the pool easily over the existing limestone curb," Skinkle of the said. "I'm proud of the AOC team's enthusiasm for solving this challenge. Tim Reed, an agency architect, quickly drew a feasible design based on the reflecting pool's measurements."

The AOC said four families of Mallard ducks currently reside in the Capitol Reflecting Pool and president of City Wildlife, Anne Lewis, said the two organizations worked to provide the ducks with greater ease getting in and out of the pool.

"The ducks have an uncanny ability to locate a way out of the water, if one is provided. We can never truly predict their behavior, but our goal is to provide them the means to get in and out of the water, which is what they need to do in the wild to protect their duckling from becoming waterlogged or cold," Lewis said. "The rest is up to them, but they do have a strong survival instinct especially when there are ducklings involved."

In addition to helping the ducks maneuver their way around the National Mall, the ramps also provide a message for visitors to not feed the ducks.