Swan 'lucky to survive' ball bearing attack

5 hours ago

Stuart RustSouth of England

News image — The swan underwent emergency surgery after being reported with a golf ball-sized swelling in its neck

Wildlife Rescue - Moyles Court A swan's head and neck are in the frame. The swan has a white ribbon tied around its upper beak. Its head is being held by two hands wearing blue gloves. Next to the swan's head is a smartphone in video mode. — The swan underwent emergency surgery after being reported with a golf ball-sized swelling in its neck

A swan is in intensive care after surviving an attack that left it with a ball bearing lodged next to its jugular vein.

Wildlife Rescue-Moyles Court, near Ringwood in Hampshire, said the male bird was rescued from Dorset's Christchurch Quay after being found in severe pain with a golf ball-sized swelling in its neck.

Nurse Carla England said the bird was "extremely lucky" to survive the injury and the complex surgery needed to remove it.

She said the charity had previously treated multiple swans from the same area with similar injuries.

Wildlife Rescue - Moyles Court A swan sits on a duvet on the floor. It is next to the bars of a metal crate. The swan's body is wrapped in some kind of white cloth or bandaging. — The bird remains under close supervision as it recovers from surgery

"I don't know how he wasn't killed. That ball bearing was right up against the jugular vein. You're talking about millimetres," she added.

England said the injury had become infected before the bird was brought in by the team on Tuesday 28 April.

She continued: "He was distressed and in a lot of pain. Swans aren't normally aggressive but he was angry and more difficult to catch."

After being taken in and stabilised at the charity's wildlife hospital, the swan was anaesthetised and examined using X-rays and an endoscope.

Wildlife Rescue - Moyles Court A large ball bearing is pictured close up. It is blackened and scuffed and difficult to identify. Someone has placed their finger next to it for scale. The ball bearing is roughly the size of the top section of the finger, from the final knuckle to the fingertip, but slightly wider. — A lengthy operation was needed to remove the ball bearing

The swan remains under close supervision and is receiving IV fluids, antibiotics and pain relief, with at least two weeks of recovery ahead.

England said the teams' wildlife rescuers were increasingly dealing with malicious injuries involving ball bearings, shot and fish hooks.

She said the swan had responded well to treatment, adding: "He's a completely different bird."

This week, a Berkshire council approved new powers to fine people carrying catapults in certain areas following reports of swans and other animals being harmed.