A cygnet is getting ready to go back to the wild after its life was saved thanks to a top vet who operated on it for free.

Without the lengthy and complicated operation the cygnet would have starved to death because of a twisted bill.

But luckily Leatherhead’s Wildlife Aid Foundation (WAF) rescued the cygnet from a garden backing onto the Royal Automobile Club in Epsom last month.

Avian vet Neil Forbes, president of the European College of Zoological Medicine, did the operation for free after WAF appealed for donations to help the cygnet.

Mr Forbes said the operation involved anaesthetising the cygnet and cutting the bone in his lower beak before bringing the beak back to the normal position.

He said: "Without intervention this cygnet was sadly destined to a very premature death. But keeping a defective wild animal in long-term care, simply because it cannot survive in the wild, is in my view morally wrong."

WAF founder Simon Cowell said: "Surgery was not an easy option for us - it never is - but I'm delighted to report that the operation has been a complete success.

"Once the cygnet has fully recovered we can release him back to the wild. This is a very good result."

He added: "We are extremely grateful to Neil for undertaking this tricky op, and for doing so entirely free of charge. What a hero!"

Last month wildlife rescuers found a stranded swan and three cygnets which had become trapped in a walled garden without access to water.

Mr Cowell said: "We don't like removing a wild animal from the wild, and especially if it means breaking up a family group, but in circumstances like this we felt we really had no alternative.

"Besides, observation of the other members of the cygnet's family - now living on a nearby lake - has since shown that the parent is not teaching her children very well, and we are continually having to intervene to help even the healthy members of the family!"

The cygnet will be released back into the wild after another few weeks receiving intensive care.

 

MORE EPSOM NEWS