Second swan injured by hydro wires over pond

Nancy Melcher

Another swan – one of the offspring of NutMeg, the adult swan that was injured at the end of September - has collided with the utility lines that run beside Elgin Pond.

‘Meg’, in the foreground with yellow tag, works with her last bevy of babies in June of of this year. Cosmos file photo

The injured cygnet was rescued and taken to Shades of Hope Wildlife Refuge (SOH) in Pefferlaw for treatment. It was assessed and has head and spinal trauma, as well as exposure to lead. Kate Purvis, wildlife rehabilitation director, explained, “The lead exposure may have impaired its ability to avoid hitting the hydro wires on takeoff. Lead, even in lower exposure cases, can impair cognitive function and reduce muscle strength/stamina.”

The cygnet had to be tube-fed initially and had to be supported with a soft pillow, then a weight-bearing sling, but it has improved and is enjoying swim time as physiotherapy to regain its strength. It will also gradually excrete the lead with its improved diet away from Elgin Pond. Soon it will join company with two other young swans at SOH to feel more at home. Once it has progressed and cleared out more lead, it will be transferred to Trumpeter Swan Conservation Ontario to continue rehabilitation. Purvis assures that, “All going well, they will plan for its release.”

In light of the lead poisoning that this swan is experiencing, fishers and hunters are asked to consider use lead-free fishing gear and shotgun shells. Donations to help Uxbridge’s cygnet and supply Shades of Hope to help their ongoing care of local wildlife: www.shadesofhope.ca. Learn more about trumpeter swans by checking these websites: Trumpeter Swan Conservation Ontario - www.trumpeterswanconservationontario.com or Trumpeter Swan Society (USA) - www.trumpeterswansociety.org. All these organizations are also on Facebook.