Swan trailing

On the trail of the newly fledged mute swan family who live near Wroxham Bridge.

Cheryl noticed one of the fast growing fluffy grey cygnets had a lame leg. Due to this anomaly, other water birds had started to pick on the cygnet.

Carol and Chris went on a mission aboard a Wroxham Launch Hire dory boat to capture the cygnet and look at the dicky leg.

Fortunately, the junior swans went over to a small rustic slipway; where they waddled up to dry off and preen for a while.

The casualty was soon identified. Her right leg had somehow ruptured at the top and middle. The 'knee' which is the joint that attaches the leg to the body on a bird had broken ~ and was back to front. The lower 'ankle' joint, just above the foot (often mistaken as the knee) was also seriously fractured, with an open wound.

The cygnet's leg resembled the frightful bone twisting characteristics of the demonically possessed girl 'Regan MacNeil' from the 1973 'The Excorcist' film.

We conferred with animal rescuers to see what was best for the casualty who had a complex injury. It was jointly decided to take the cygnet into care for closer inspection and safety. She was wrapped in a towel and taken to sanctuary. 

Chris