Isle of Wight Branch

Swan returns to the wild

12th october 2020:

The cygnet spent several days recuperating after the accident at Carisbrooke before getting a clean bill of health and being released back into the wild.

RSPCA Isle of Wight branch manager Suzanne Pugh said: “We are not completely sure what caused the cygnet to crash into the house. It may well have been caught in a gust of wind during Storm Alex or just didn’t realise the wall was coming up as it is still a juvenile.

“Fortunately, a neighbour saw the incident and alerted the residents of the house who were at home at the time. And as good fortune would have it, it tuned out one of homeowners is local veterinarian (add name?).”

The vet was able to secure the bird and provide a health inspection which showed the animal had a soft tissue injury on its throat. She/vet’s name took the bird into her clinic for monitoring and then transferred it to the animal rescue centre at Bohemia Corner for three days of further care prior to release.

The swan was taken back to its local area at the 8 Bells pub and reunited with its own flock, or wedge, of swans.

“The swan was very lucky both to have survived the impact and then to have found itself in the immediate care of a respected local vet,” Suzanne said. “We were thrilled to play our part in the recuperation and release and we hope that the cygnet learns from its experience.”

The incident highlights how busy the animal rescue centre remains despite having its fundraising activity dramatically reduced because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Anyone wishing to support an emergency appeal set up by the centre to help it through these challenging times can do so via the donation button on our website www.rspca-iowbranch.org.uk or call 01983 840287 or Text RSPCAIOW to 70470.