East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service has issued another warning about discarded waste after receiving numerous phone calls from members of the public after a young swan was spotted with rope entangled round its neck.
WRAS sent an ambulance with three rescuers but avoided having to get the boat out by lulling the swans into a false sense of security by feeding them corn and bread, so the swan with the rope could be pulled out the water with less stress.
“The swan was young probably only 1-2 years old, and had about 5 metres of rope entangled round its neck and trailing in the water behind. The bird was clearly agitated.” Explained WRAS rescuer Trevor Weeks MBE.
“Trevor and used bread to distract the swans and as the swan we wanted came towards me I concentrated on encouraging him close to me whilst Trevor encourage the others away from me so there was less competition. After about 5 minutes and whilst the swan’s head was under the water concentrating on the food I was able to reach out and pull the swan from the water.” WRAS Rescuer Chris.
Chris then carried the swan to the nearby grass where the rope was removed and the swan checked over.
“Luckily the swan was ok, a good weight and no sign of any illness or injury. So one lucky swan was released back onto the water” said Chris.
“This again highlights the need for people to tidy away waste of all types. We have had so many different creatures being caught in a wide variety of objects including a fox cub with a plastic tub stuck on its head, a hedgehog with plastic beer can holder wrapped round its body, a duck with a plastic bottle top round its beak, a gull with discarded fishing tackle which almost caused it to drown and a deer with bailer twine attached to its antlers which became caught on a barbed wire fence. So yet again we are pleading with people to tidy up after themselves and ensure nothing is left where wildlife or domestic pets can get caught as they may not be as lucky as this swan.” Said Trevor.
-END-
Photos and video by East Sussex WRAS.
Video of Swan in Rope: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNZwD_hmOts
Previous WRAS Videos:
Video of Hedgehog in Plastic Beer Can holder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vut_gR5VNkE
Video of Fox with plastic tub stuck on head: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TH8TpWNUE_8
Video of Duck with plastic round beak: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfaNEu6G65E
Video of Gull entangled in discarded fishing tackle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHMBUiHhPNI
Video of Deer with discarded Bailer Twine found antlers caught on fence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqPZqWExUyc
Share this!
