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Duck decoy

Filmed at night with infrared cameras, a mink stalks a mallard duck and her brood of chicks. The mother knows the mink is stalking her but in the darkness has no idea where he is. She hides her chicks in the reeds then acts as a decoy to lead the mink away from the ducklings. Waiting until the last second, when she can sense the mink is really close, she draws him noisily away from the hidden chicks. This is a risky strategy. If she gets caught, he'll kill her first and then get the chicks too. She finally sees the mink and flies out on to the bank. Still ignorant of the hidden ducklings, the mink gives up.

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2 minutes

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