Injured Swan rescued

Boat launched : D-Class

Date : 18 September

Launch at : 19:45

Returned at : 21:00

Weather : Dusk became darkness but with calm conditions.

A member of the public saw a dog attack a swan in Emsworth Harbour and telephoned the Coastguard. The D-Class lifeboat was launched and began a search in the Emsworth channel, soon discovering a group of swans in shallow water with one clearly hurt and pecking at its back. In order not to scare the swans and to avoid risk of injury to them the helm switched off the lifeboat engine, went overboard in the shallow water, and walked the lifeboat over to the injured swan (pictured approaching the swan). The swan stayed put, clearly traumatised, and allowed a crew member to pick it up and wrap it in a blanket onboard the lifeboat.  Although it became a bit more lively during the trip to the Emsworth Pontoon it didn’t try to escape. The swan had a deep cut on its back where the dog had bitten it. The lifeboat was met by the Coastguard and the RSPCA who took charge of the swan, took it to a vet to be checked, before taking it to The Ark at Stubbington to recuperate.

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