A swan hit by a van which didn’t stop upsets rescuers.
This morning just before 7am, our emergency line received two disturbing phone calls about a road casualty swan on Wartling road just south of Wartling village, on the Pevensey Levels.
One of the callers witnessed a van plough into a swan without hesitation, without braking nor taking avoiding action. They did not stop to check whether the swan was injured, alive or killed, they just kept going. According to the caller, the swan was plenty visible enough from a distance and the driver could have stopped or avoided the swan. The caller followed the van and was able to get a registration number and has reported the incident to the Police.
WRAS attended this morning to check the swan which was definitely dead by the time they arrived, but the swan had suffered some horrendous injuries.
This time of year our rescuers are dealing with numerous road casualties every day, from swans to gulls and garden birds to buzzards.
Not all road casualties are avoidable or the drivers fault. Although slowing down does generally help reduce casualties its not all about speed. Its also about being aware and cautious when driving on different types of roads and when visibility is limited either by weather or by vegetation or embankments. Being cautious and prepared for a casualty to rush out is also important. Knowing where road casualties often occurs can help too. Check out the list and map on our website at https://wildlifeambulance.org/cygnet-death-prompts…/.
If you hit a wildlife casualty please stop or return to check to see if it is injured. Stop if there is somewhere safe to do so and you do not put yourself or others at risk. Consider whether it is safe to drive past slowly with your hazard lights on to check. If it is unsafe to stop please call your local wildlife rescue to see if they can help. If on a dangerous road and the casualty is a hazard to other motorists please call the Police.
Our wildlife, our staff and volunteers are all feeling it at the moment, this suffering is not nice to witness, to have to attend or have to rescue and attempt treatment. Its heart breaking at times.
We are very busy at the moment, we are trying our best to do as much as possible and our hospital is constantly full to overflowing. As quick as casualties are being released others are being admitted. Every day we are dealing with road casualties, everything from swans to gulls and garden birds to buzzards along with foxes, badgers, hedgehogs and rabbits.
Please support WRAS so we can attend as many casualty as possible 24/7, 365 days a year. www.wildlifeambulance.org
Reg Charity 1108880. You can donate at https://donorbox.org/summer-staff-appeal
It’s days like today that I I
hate my job sometimes. Um and I
