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Dramatic Increase in Swan Casualties
East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) and the National Swan Sanctuary at Egham in Surrey, are seriously concerned about the number of calls being received from East Sussex regarding injured swans. East Sussex WRAS had received 69 calls for the first seven months of 2004 which is 56% up on the comparable time during 2003 (44 calls). This is also a shocking 91% up compared with figures for 2002 (36 calls)! “We have been dealing with swans and working on behalf of the National Swan Sanctuary for the past 6 years and I am amazed at the increase,” said Rescue Co-ordinator Trevor Weeks. The types of incidents dealt with by East Sussex WRAS include swans suffering from botulism, caught in fishing line or hooked, swans which crash land, injured legs and wings, covered in oil, road casualties, orphaned cygnets, swans being shot, territorial fighting and interaction problems with humans. The last two years have seen a surprising increase in the number of swan attacks and those that crash land either on roads or after hitting power lines. Increase in Disabled Swans Causes Bed Blocking at Sanctuary! East Sussex WRAS would be unable to cope with the volume of swan casualties if it was not for the support and treatment provided by the Swan Sanctuary based at Egham, Surrey. However, the Swan Sanctuary is rapidly running out of space as it struggles to find homes for some of its disabled swans. “We have had numerous swans in from East Sussex and the surrounding counties this year which have been injured and are now disabled. We need to find new release sites back in the southern counties especially Sussex. We need to find safe havens where disabled swans can be rehomed to live out the rest of their days in peace. Whenever possible the swans that come to the sanctuary are returned to their mates, families or flocks but, when a permanent injury such as the loss of flight has occurred, this is simply not possible due to the threat of attack from foxes, dogs etc” said the Swan Sanctuary founder Dot Beeson BEM. “We are putting out this appeal for release sites in order to help free up this bed blocking at the sanctuary”, explains Trevor Weeks, “unlike some other wild birds and mammals, disabled swans are quite happy being released onto private lakes.” What You Can Do If you are interested in fostering some disabled swans and have use of a private lake that is at least 1 acre in size with an island, preferably without public access, then please send a photograph of the lake, your full postcode and a brief description to info@wildlifeambulance.co.uk or post to East Sussex WRAS C/o 8 Stour Close, Stone Cross, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN25 4QU. Alternatively you can ring the Swan Sanctuary on 01932 240790. If the lake appears suitable then either East Sussex WRAS or the Swan Sanctuary will come and visit the site to discuss matters further. East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service
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