Online viewers celebrated a wildlife rescuer in the United Kingdom who helped a young swan return to its family after it was found with a fishing hook lodged in its neck, according to The Waterfowl Sanctuary.
Here's what to know
A crowd had already gathered at the popular visitor spot when the rescuer arrived. The Waterfowl Sanctuary shared the rescue in a TikTok post, describing a cygnet injured by a treble hook in St Ives.
The cygnet was able to go straight back to its family, with no need for further treatment at the charity's hospital.
The video shows the rescuer fishing the swan out of the river with a net before carefully cutting the hook and removing it from the bird's neck. He then focuses on the line that the cygnet swallowed, checking its neck with a metal detector to ensure there is no hook inside the swan's throat.
Once he pulls the line out, which has a small piece of bait at the end, cheers can be heard from the people gathered around him. The rescuer then returns the swan to the river with the rest of its buddies.
More background
"I do this work frequently unfortunately and so am very familiar with what to expect," the rescuer wrote in the caption.
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Some injured birds need surgery, according to the rescuer. When there is uncertainty about an injury, the charity can examine the bird using X-ray equipment at its hospital. Removing a visible hook does not always mean a bird is ready to return to its family.
What's being done?
"Don't try this at home folks." That was the rescuer's warning to anyone considering removing a hook themselves. In St Ives, taking local action began with people alerting the charity: Several callers reported the injured cygnet.
The caption directed supporters to the charity's website, where bank details and PayPal options are available. The Waterfowl Sanctuary also encouraged viewers to support its work through monthly donations.
"Please consider a monthly donation to keep this charity proactive and capable and enable us to grow," the appeal read.
One commenter described the young swan's behavior during the rescue and reunion: "He stayed so calm and quiet while you helped him and then shouted thank you when you let him go back to his family," they wrote.
Where can I learn more?
Rescuers have come to the aid of injured and trapped swans well beyond St Ives. These stories cover rescues involving fishing hooks and other hazards, plus a swan health roundup in Florida.
• A rubber-boat rescue sent a rescuer overboard before a hooked cygnet was freed.
• Three women chased an injured swan for hours before a well-timed tackle secured help.
• A swan trapped in brambles bolted as a rescuer made a diving grab.
• In England, rescuers freed a swan from a storm lagoon to rejoin its mate.
• In Florida, 59 swans were rounded up for health checks at Lake Morton.
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