KINDNESS • RESCUING A SWAN

A group of individuals answered the call this past weekend and rescued a juvenile trumpeter swan in Lake Wilson. Thank you to Katie Chapman, Karen and Mark Hurd, Travis DeLong, Bill Johlfes, Michele Steffl and Dave and Linda Johnson.

The group was given the location of a trumpeter swan who hadn’t migrated south yet and appeared to suffer from a condition called “angel wing”.

Angel wing is a condition that develops in young birds due to a high-calorie or nutrient deficient diet, especially one high in proteins and/or low in vitamin D, vitamin E, and manganese. What results is that one or both carpus (wrist) joints are delayed in their development relative to the rest of the wing; for reasons unknown, if only one wing is affected, it is usually the left one. The result is a joint which is twisted outwards and unable to perform its usual function. The bird is then unable to fly and will perish at some point because of predation, starvation/malnourishment, or cold once winter hits.

There was another factor playing a part for this particular swan. It’s parents were not willing to migrate either, due to their baby not being able to fly.

Chapman thanked all those who helped in the rescue: “Much thanks to all of the amazing people who showed up to help this morning, with cold water gear, boats, and other equipment to secure this young swan. It is so beautiful and it was such an honor to be a part of this special experience.”

The group worked together to get the swan out of the open water onto land where they were finally able to secure the animal in a cage. It’s feathers are all still gray which indicates its youth, Chapman said. The mom and dad did fly over at the end honking before taking off.

Chapman wrote on her face book page, “With this rescue, we hope that the juvenile can live out its life somewhere safe, and that the mom and dad can migrate south with the rest of the swans that have already left Lake Wilson.

The juvenile is now on its way to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota (WRC) but Chapman stresses to others, if you come across an injured or orphaned wild animal contact the DNR or US Fish and Wildlife first. They have the resources available to them to help these animals.