|
Published:
June 18, 2008
Burnham
inshore rescue boat crew help retrieve injured swan
An
injured swan is in the safe hands of animal carers after being
retrieved by an inshore rescue boat crew from Burnham-On-Sea on
Wednesday afternoon (June 18th).
 BARB,
the Burnham-based charity that operates two rescue hovercrafts
and an inshore rescue boat, was contacted by animal rescuers at
East Huntspill's wildlife centre Secret World after a walker spotted
the injured bird, which had a large object lodged in its neck
as pictured here, on Summer Lane Lake at Worle near Weston-super-Mare.
"The
bird was in an agitated state and as we were unable to reach it
from the banks of the lake," said Secret World's Simon Kidner
(who is pictured with the bird). "Using the boat was essential."
Mr
Kidner was taken out onto the lake by two BARB crewmen and the
swan was captured using a large net. It was then taken back to
Secret World for treatment.
Steve
Perks, Hovercraft Operations Manager, said the organisation was
happy to help. "If distressed animals are not rescued, people
often feel tempted to help by venturing into the water themselves
and in turn put their own lives at risk. So long as we're not
jeopardizing the rescue of a person elsewhere, BARB is happy to
help with incidents like this."
The
team successfully brought the bird back to the lake's bank
The
swan was later operated on at Secret World, where it was found
that a large fishing hook had been stuck in the bird's throat.
This, and a backfill of grass, were removed.
Burnham-On-Sea
Hovercraft Web site
|
