Injured mute swan saved in England

This video from Britain says about itself:

Lewes Swan Rescue and Release 23rd and 24th April 2013

24 April 2013

Teamwork leads to rescue and release of swan caught in fishing line at Lewes.

Worried residents contacted East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) after spotting a swan on the River Ouse at Lewes with fishing line hanging out of its mouth and attached to fishing weights.

Rescuers attended on site on Monday 22nd but were unable to catch the swan from the bank, so asked British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) if they would help provide a boat for the rescue. As the tide was low, the charities planned a rescue for the morning of Tuesday 23rd April. Overnight the weights came loose and disappeared, but it was clear from the swan’s behaviour that there was something wrong.

Alan Knight OBE chairman of BDMLR launched their rescue RIB with the assistance of Medic Gavin Bruce from Newhaven just after 9am and came up to Lewes where it was met by WRAS’s Trevor Weeks MBE and fellow rescuers Jayden Banks and Kathy Martyn. Alan manoeuvred the rescue boat with skill with Trevor positioned at the bow using a swan hook to gently guide the swan between the bank and the pontoons at Lewes Rowing Club where Kathy and Jayden were positioned to catch the swan.

This was Jayden’s first swan rescue and found himself catching the swan using a swan hook and having to pull the swan up onto the pontoon where it was secured. Kathy, Trevor and Gavin quickly joined Jayden on the pontoon.

Trevor checked over the swan and found a piece of line wrapped round the back of the mouth and going down the throat. As it was right at the back of the mouth it was difficult to get to but was eventually dislodged but the swan swallowed the line before it could be removed safely.

The swan was noted to be very pale and a bit underweight and was transported to WRAS’s Casualty Care Centre at Whitesmith where it was given 24 hours rescue and recuperation before being returned to Lewes the following day Wednesday 24th April.

The swan recovered well overnight and was much more lively, and energetic. Clearly recovered the swan was taken back to the rowing club and released to be back with her mate on the river.

“This is a great example of how groups can work together in a positive way to help each other and the wildlife of East Sussex, BDMLR have specialist knowledge and equipment for such water based rescued and we would have struggled to catch the swan without their help” said Trevor Weeks, “when we released the swan back into the river it was nice to see the pair back together and them flirting with each other forming the classic heart shape with their necks. It’s great to see.”

From Wildlife Extra, this January 2015:

Dramatic swan rescue on the Pevensey Levels

Three men and two ambulances were recently involved in a dramatic rescue of an injured Mute Swan that had been spotted completely covered in blood.

The East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) in the shape of Trevor Weeks MBE of Uckfield, Chris Riddington of Eastbourne, and Tony Neads of Polegate, rushed to the scene and found the swan in a field just west of the road between the village of Wartling and Pevensey Service Station.

“I’ve never seen anything quite like it” says Riddington. “The swan was completely red, there were no white feathers at all, just blood everywhere.”

Unfortunately, the rescue effort were hampered by flooding across the field. On the first attempt at capture the swan managed to take off.

“We were really surprised that the swan flew but as it was so windy it really didn’t take much more than opening it wings in order to take off” ssys Weeks.

“The swan landed in a drainage dyke at the far side of the field. To get to there we had one large dyke and three smaller dykes to cross.

“The first three channels which are normally dry during the summer were about knee deep in water.

“When I got close to the swan it was in an awkward place for me to get to, but an ideal place to try capture.

“There was only one thing for it and that was to take my jacket and fleece off and swim across the dyke.”

“From the other side of the field we couldn’t believe what Trevor was doing,” says Riddington.

“All of a sudden he just disappeared into the water and then reappeared as he climbed out again – we just thought ‘he’s nuts!’ and its freezing!”

The rescue plan worked and Weeks was able to catch the swan successfully.

“I was a bit worried about how I was going to get the swan back across the dyke, but with some help from Chris, the swan was safely moved across the dyke and back to WRAS’s ambulances,” says Weeks.

“Trevor was soaking wet from head to toe, and clearly very cold too,” says third rescuer Neads.

“So after bedding the swan down in the ambulance and providing first aid, we wrapped Trevor in blankets and both were driven back to WRAS’s Casualty Centre for treatment.”

Back at WRAS’s Casualty Centre the swan was checked over and found to have numerous deep cuts one of which was a venus bleed.

“We had to apply a trauma gauze to the lower beak to help stop the bleeding which had to be taped in place, says Weeks. “After seeking advice from the Swan Sanctuaries Veterinary Team we decided to send the swan up to their specialist vets to assess. But we hope it will be suitable for returning to the area once fit and well.”

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