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Friday, 15 August 2014

A word from the people we support

a sad tale

Family Destroyed...






This beautiful cygnet is Grace. She was hatched by her mother along with two siblings six weeks ago on a pond located in Midway, Swadlincote. Sadly these ponds seem to attract a few yobs and over the past couple years we have been rescuing animals from these ponds that have been injured as a result of appalling behaviour and cruelty.

Today we were called by a lady who regularly keeps an eye on the waterfowl that live on the ponds which include ducks, swans and Canadian geese. She had noticed the little cygnet sitting alone on the grass near to the roadside and when approached she struggled to stand and walk. The parents were nowhere to be seen but when we arrived they had returned back to the cygnet and they were in the water.

It was immediately obvious that the left leg was causing the youngster discomfort. She was holding it up, out of the water, and was struggling to swim and navigate. We lured her to the edge with bread and managed to catch her, much to the dismay of the parents who immediately started to try and attack. We took the little cygnet to the van and placed her into a carrier whilst we talked to the lady who had reported it.

We found out that, according to neighbours in the area, that the two other cygnets had disappeared shortly after being attacked by a gang of youths, armed with catapults and bricks, a week earlier. There was also rumours that they may of been taken by the youths to keep as pets.

Little Grace has a very swollen left leg and extensive scabbing. Given the history of the behaviour of a few individuals, this may of been caused by a brick or slab being launched at the youngster. The cygnet was seen to be well a few days ago and was feeding with her parents. Another heartbreaking moment during this rescue was when her mother followed us to the van, trying to get her baby back. Grace's current condition means she needed to be taken into captivity for treatment and it is unlikely she will see her parents again as it may take her a long while to recover.






It is illegal, under the Wildlife And Countryside Act to take, disturb or intentionally injure a swan and it's family, destroy a nest or harm the young. This applies for other waterfowl too. If you are aware of people taking part in this behaviour, observe them in the act or know of people taking animals from the wild as pets, we strongly recommend you call the local police force immediately on 101 and ask for a wildlife crime officer. If the animal is being attacked or targeted police have the power to intervene and arrest those responsible. 


We will continue to rear Grace and when she is older she will be relocated to a lake with other youngsters. For now she has a teddy to cuddle up to so she can feel safe.

reposted with permission of Burton Wildlife Rescue





And that's why I put adverts on the Blog because treating the cruelties the orc minded inflict on animals still costs money and this is a small independent charity which depends soley on donations to do its work 

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