After 10 days in care a bright red blood covered swan has turned into a beautiful white swan and now been successfully returned and released back to the wild at Wartling, East Sussex.
On 9th January 2015 rescuers from East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) rushed to the aid of a swan covered in blood in a field. A dramatic rescue unfolded involving rescuers having to swim across freezing water. The swan which was thought to have hit over head cables or crash landed into bushes or fencing and become injured, had a severe bleed from its lower beak. As the swan preened the swan became more and more red covering itself in blood.
Rescuers Trevor Weeks MBE, Chris Riddington and Tony Neads rescued the swan and were able to provide emergency first aid to save the swans life.
Today (19th January 2015) the swan was returned from specialists at the Swan Sanctuary in Shepperton which has been home to the swan for the past 10 days. Trevor and Chris returned the now white swan back to Wartling to release the swan back to the wild hopefully to be reunited with it partner.
“This is one of the main reasons why we undertake this work, as it is such a buzz being able to return such magnificent creatures back to the wild” said rescuer Chris, “The swan was clearly excited when we got out the ambulance and was looking round and you could just tell she knew where she was and was home again.”
“The swan was released into a small channel of water where originally rescued. We watched the swan from a distance for a while. We were delighted to see the swan take off, fly round the field gaining height and then fly off in a westerly direction. I suspect these fields were not the swans home but the pair landed there as she was injured. They probably have a location nearby, which they were returning to, for breeding this spring and she will head there to hopefully find her mate” said Trevor.
“This is a great outcome for us, thanks to the hard work of the staff at the Swan Sanctuary at Shepperton and our volunteers at East Sussex WRAS.” Added Trevor.
-END-
Press Contacts: Trevor Weeks -01825-873003 or 07931523958.
VIDEO:
Due to a problems with our camera, the final release footage was only taken on mobile phone.
Please credit “East Sussex WRAS” when using video or photos.
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