Not lame at all: Duck tails GrabFood delivery rider in the Philippines, wins praise for hard work

A duck is seen waddling close as its owner, a GrabFood delivery rider in the Philippines, made his rounds at a mall east of Manila. - DENNIS CAAG/TIKTO

MANILA: A GrabFood delivery rider in the Philippines has struck viral gold for his choice of a “wingman” when doing his rounds: a duck.

The duck – with a plumage of grey, white and black, and a green “diaper” emblazoned with GrabFood’s logo – has been spotted waddling close to its owner at a couple of malls and restaurants east of the Philippine capital Manila.

It has also been seen riding an escalator, and patiently standing guard as its owner picks up his orders and loads them into his delivery bag.

A video compiling sightings of “Grab duck” – posted on TikTok on June 30 by Dennis Caag – has been viewed close to three million times, with many praising the GrabFood rider’s feathered companion for refusing to be a lame duck and for taking on its side hustle like a duck to water.

“I hope Grab hires him. He deserves it. He’s great at brand promotion,” commented TikTok user timtimsquad.

Another user of the platform, Nidz essentials, said: “5 stars for Grab duck.”

Someone else pointed to a duck’s instinct to “follow the leader”, while a couple of Tiktok users remarked along the lines of: “Well, that’s one way to not end up on the dining table.”

One poked fun at rival food delivery services. “Does this mean Food Panda will soon be hiring a panda?” asked Khouri Baro, also on Tiktok.

Tiktok user elle’s bakes saw the amusing, heart-tugging sight for what it is: “For good vibes, because all I’ve been seeing lately are wars.”

“Grab duck” trails in a long line of animals that have had the occasional “odd jobs”.

Since the 1980s, hundreds of Indian Runner ducks – a flightless species with a peculiarly upright stance and highly developed sense of smell – have been patrolling a vineyard in Cape Town, South Africa, keeping it free of pests.

In Mozambique, African rats have been sniffing out landmines, while sea lions and dolphins have helped the US Navy locate underwater mines.

Hawks, meanwhile, are employed at the All England Tennis Club, which hosts The Wimbledon Championships, to chase pigeons away.

A French bulldog was elected “dog mayor” of Rabbit Hash, in Kentucky, in 2020, and Larry – perhaps the most famous cat in the world – is “Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office” at 10 Downing Street.

Then, there is Punxsutawney Phil, who is at the heart of the annual Groundhog Day in Pennsylvania and whose shadow is said to be a harbinger of how good or bad winter would be. - The Straits Times/ANN