Sanctuary officials do not want to separate the swan from her cygnets
Swan Sanctuary officials from Shepperton are monitoring the health of a swan in Home Park following worried calls from shocked visitors.
Welfare officers from the Sanctuary visited Wick Pond to check the swan and plan to revisit again today (Tuesday)
One told Teddington Town: “We believe this looks a lot worse than it is and that the swan has a cut under the chin which caused a lot of bleeding.”
The Sanctuary has no immediate plans to remove the swan because of the possible ‘separation trauma’ caused to her eight cygnets.
“We will continue to monitor the situation closely,” said the Sanctuary.
An eye witness told social media: “l was utterly horrified and upset to discover the pen at Wick Pond covered in blood yesterday.
”Imminent to my arrival it appeared that she had been subjected to an attack of some kind and had sustained a wound to her neck and beak with puncture marks visible.
”Although obviously shaken she was able to eat and swim and her movements not restricted. I contacted the Swan Sanctuary who arrived to assess her. It is not ideal for her to be separated from her new family at this time so she is being closely monitored.
”The cygnets themselves are all happy and healthy and oblivious to mum’s distress merrily tucked into their sweetcorn.
”As an aside although we cannot be sure what has occurred I was disturbed that despite the notices informing people of the dogs on lead policy at this time several were running wild and causing upset to the swans who are valiantly trying to protect their young. So please if you see any dogs off leads in Bushy or Home Parks can you remind folks of the policy during the breeding season.”
