Stranded swan saved from electricity substation
It wasn’t quite seven swans a-swimming in the run up to Christmas this week - but when one swan got stranded at an electricity substation power workers mounted a rescue mission.
UK Power Networks engineers called in the help of experts from the Swan Sanctuary in Shepperton, after spotting the swan pacing around an electricity compound at Canterbury, disoriented by its surroundings.
Paul Kermode, from UK Power Networks’ capital programme team, said: “I had noticed two swans in our substation and thought they would fly out by themselves, but when one was still there a few days later, we called in the experts.
“The Swan Sanctuary offered immediate assistance and a visit from a member of their team was arranged the following morning. The swan was safely captured and released back into its natural habitat in a lake adjacent to the site.
“We learnt that swans get very disorientated with unusual surroundings and can become frightened to fly. It wasn’t injured so it was released back to the lake. The sanctuary believes its mate will have remained in the area and they will be reunited.”
The Swan Sanctuary used food to gain the swan’s trust and after some hissing and flapping, managed to safely capture it and take it to safety.
Dave King, a project supervisor at UK Power Networks, safely escorted the rescuer past substation equipment carrying high voltage electricity, to recover the swan. He said: “In my 33 years of work with the company I have never come across this before. We are grateful to the Swan Sanctuary who were excellent and very caring. It was great to work together on this rescue.”
Steve Knight, trustee of the Swan Sanctuary, said: “The Swan Sanctuary was only too glad to help UK Power Networks, as we have a positive long-standing relationship.
“Waterfowl go to ground when distressed, staying still to conserve energy so they have less chance of being seen. Without intervention, the swan could have been there a long time and there was no food there. The substation backs onto a nature reserve and we were able to put the swan straight into there.”
The Swan Sanctuary is a charity dedicated to the care and treatment of swans and waterfowl. For further information or to donate to the charity visit: www.theswansanctuary.org.uk. Anyone who finds a swan in distress is urged to ring The Swan Sanctuary on 01932 240790 which is open for rescues 365 days a year 24/7.
UK Power Networks engineers called in the help of experts from the Swan Sanctuary in Shepperton, after spotting the swan pacing around an electricity compound at Canterbury, disoriented by its surroundings.
Paul Kermode, from UK Power Networks’ capital programme team, said: “I had noticed two swans in our substation and thought they would fly out by themselves, but when one was still there a few days later, we called in the experts.
“The Swan Sanctuary offered immediate assistance and a visit from a member of their team was arranged the following morning. The swan was safely captured and released back into its natural habitat in a lake adjacent to the site.
“We learnt that swans get very disorientated with unusual surroundings and can become frightened to fly. It wasn’t injured so it was released back to the lake. The sanctuary believes its mate will have remained in the area and they will be reunited.”
The Swan Sanctuary used food to gain the swan’s trust and after some hissing and flapping, managed to safely capture it and take it to safety.
Dave King, a project supervisor at UK Power Networks, safely escorted the rescuer past substation equipment carrying high voltage electricity, to recover the swan. He said: “In my 33 years of work with the company I have never come across this before. We are grateful to the Swan Sanctuary who were excellent and very caring. It was great to work together on this rescue.”
Steve Knight, trustee of the Swan Sanctuary, said: “The Swan Sanctuary was only too glad to help UK Power Networks, as we have a positive long-standing relationship.
“Waterfowl go to ground when distressed, staying still to conserve energy so they have less chance of being seen. Without intervention, the swan could have been there a long time and there was no food there. The substation backs onto a nature reserve and we were able to put the swan straight into there.”
The Swan Sanctuary is a charity dedicated to the care and treatment of swans and waterfowl. For further information or to donate to the charity visit: www.theswansanctuary.org.uk. Anyone who finds a swan in distress is urged to ring The Swan Sanctuary on 01932 240790 which is open for rescues 365 days a year 24/7.