Distressed Swan,help please.

[Ruth Daniel]

This is a bit complicated but please stick with me!

My husband has just rung from work.
He has been contacted by a colleague who is on holiday but knowing my hubby is a birder rang him for advice,who in turn asked my opinion.
The colleague has found a distressed Mute Swan at the side of a road....apparently the Swan's mate has been killed by a dog and the remaining Swan is very distressed beside it's dead mate's body.
I've advised calling the RSPCA who hopefully will know what to do with the body and the remaining Swan.
Does anyone know if any other organisation should be contacted? Or was I right in suggesting the RSPCA?

[Lance Morgan]

Very sad - that's what I would have suggested.

[Ruth Daniel]

Originally Posted by Lance Morgan

Very sad - that's what I would have suggested.

Thanks Lance.

[pegasus]

Hi ruth--Pretty distressing all round but i think you gave sound advice.May also be useful to contact a local wildlife centre in that area[if there is one]. Police might also want to get involved re the attack and possible traffic hazard?

[Lance Morgan]

I thought all swans belonged to the monarchy so police maybe should be involved if there is malicious action or if there is a hazard.

[Ruth Daniel]

Originally Posted by pegasus

Hi ruth--Pretty distressing all round but i think you gave sound advice.May also be useful to contact a local wildlife centre in that area[if there is one]. Police might also want to get involved re the attack and possible traffic hazard?

Thanks Pegusus and Lance again.

[Dutchess]

My guess is that the RSPCA have guidelines on how to react in situations like this (especially being "Royal" themselves.) They will most likey inform the local wildlife rescue centre if they cannot deal with it themselves.

A couple of weeks back we had a swan holding up queues of traffic on a busy stretch of road (on an accident black spot to be precise!) but every single one of the motorists either tried to help or simply showed great patience until the swan had finished meandering along the road. A few brave people got out of their cars and tried to shoo it to the verge, but it would only leave in it's own good time!

I passed the scene with a degree of amusement once the traffic started moving again, but your post Ruth has made me wonder why the swan was behaving this way. It will make me stop and investigate further should I encounter such a scene again...

Hope all turns out well, keep us posted.

D.

[Ruth Daniel]

Originally Posted by Dutchess

Hope all turns out well, keep us posted.
D.

Thanks Duchess.


The Swan & cygnets are now safely on the way to the vet's for treatment, The adult bird is thought to be the male and apparently there are some photo's available from next week!

[Adam Cheeseman]

Originally Posted by Lance Morgan

I thought all swans belonged to the monarchy so police maybe should be involved if there is malicious action or if there is a hazard.

Only Mute Swans, and some of these are owned by the Vintners' and Dyers' companies through swan upping on the Thames.

Cheers,

Adam

[Dutchess]

Originally Posted by Ruth Daniel

Thanks Duchess.


The Swan & cygnets are now safely on the way to the vet's for treatment, The adult bird is thought to be the male and apparently there are some photo's available from next week!

Excellent! I love follow-up threads and photos

Cheers Ruth,

D.