Page 45 - Hillside25Years
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Romeo and Juliet... We went back for her mate and the pair were reunited
Receiving veterinary treatment for
We rushed to the aid of this swan...
In January, we were alerted to a swan the pair were reunited -
who was reported to be in trouble with
a damaged wing on a local river. We they were obviously so
had to wade, waist deep, into the river
to reach the swan and bring her back to relieved to be back in each
the bank, where it was obvious that she
was in need of urgent treatment. We other's company.
rushed her to our vet who attended to
her badly infected wing. Back at the The injured swan's wing
Sanctuary, our thoughts turned to her
mate on the river who had been was treated and dressed
extremely distressed at having his life-
long mate taken away from him. So, we every day but our vet
took the decision to return to catch him
so they could stay together while the advised the best course
female recovered. We wish we had
filmed the heartwarming moment when of action was to Together on the Pond at Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary...
amputate the afflicted wing and the
operation was carried out successfully. Soon after, the swans (who we named
However, without the use of both wings, we Romeo and Juliet) were released, Romeo
could not release her back into the wild. flew away. However, a month later, he
So, both birds were taken to Hillside Shire returned and has not left Juliet’s side since.
Horse Sanctuary at West Runton, to live They now remain living happily together on
together on our well-fenced pond where our pond, at West Runton by the sea with
they wouldn’t have to worry about predators. other rescued swans.
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