A cygnet found on the River Kennet in Marlborough with a long piece of plastic tape wrapped round its tongue and down its throat was rushed to the Riverside Veterinary Practice yesterday (Wednesday).
Wildlife rescuer Val Compton managed to catch the cygnet and gently pull most of the plastic off. But it then snapped with some in the cygnet’s throat. So she took it to the vets for examination.
“They advised that the best case scenario was that the plastic would combine with grass and form a ball that would pass through the system naturally,” said Val, who was on her way to work with ARK volunteers when she saw the stricken cygnet.
“Cygnets do better when with their family. So after an examination this one was quickly returned apparently unharmed.”
She added: “We found the plastic textile that caused the problem later on while clearing the river in Priory Gardens. It is the sort of weed suppressant membrane that is laid under gravel. There is a great deal of it in the river and I suspect this little cygnet will not be the only one to suffer.”
Anyone finding cygnets or any other creature in trouble are advised to alert Wild Things RES-Q on 07850 778752.
