Sovereign Harbour Swan Rescue.

Rescuers were called down to Sovereign Harbour today (3rd Apr 2018) after a swan was found on the shingle beach in the harbour.

The harbour office called out East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) who were on site within 30 minutes.

Unfortunately well meaning members of the public encouraged the swan back into the water thinking the swan was safer there.

When rescuers arrived on site they had to drive around to the opposite side and walk quite a distance in order to observe the swan. After about 15 minutes rescuers were unsure about the swans behaviour especially as the swan was shaking his head and clearly wanting to get out the water. Unfortunately harbour wall and rocks prevented the swan getting out.

Rescuers were pleased when the swan decided to swim back to the shingle beach.
After driving back round, rescuers walked down to the waters edge and cut off the swans escape route. They lulled the swan into a false sense of security by feeding it. Duty Rescuer Co-ordinator Trevor Weeks very slowly inched forward getting closer and closer before being able to spring forward and catch the swan.

"You have to be so careful when catching swans, you can easily scare them back into the water, so approaching slowly and be patient is always best and far less stressful on the swan than using a swan hook or net" explained Trevor.

Rescuers checked over the swan once back at the top of the beach, where they found a wound under the right wing.

"Its behaviour and injuries were that of a swan involved in a collision. So we carried the swan to our nearby ambulances where it was then driven to WRAS's Casualty Centre" said Trevor.
Lead Casualty Manager Chris Riddington checked the swan over and cleaned up its injuries and medication was administered.

The swan was bedded down but it is hoped the wounds will heal fairly quickly and be suitable for release within the week.

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Media Version of video without title and logo: https://youtu.be/u4thMgi9WsI

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