'Dramatic' RSPCA rescue for injured cygnet in Ipswich canal

The RSPCA finally rescued the baby swan on Wednesday from Alderman Canal, near Ipswich Town's Portman Road ground.

It was in August that Frances Byam-Rowlands and her husband Paul noticed that the feathers on the cygnet’s wing were standing out at a right angle.

They had been following the family of swans since early July.

The cygnet rescue (Image: Frances Byan-Rowlands)

When they researched the condition, they found that it was likely to be 'angel wing', a deformity in the joint that means the bird can no longer fly, which can lead to premature death.

The couple contacted the RSPCA many times about the bird but there was no attempt to rescue it.

In a statement last week, the RSPCA said the bird was visited and found “still able to feed, preen and take care of herself” and so required “no further intervention”, but that another visit would be made following the latest report.

After the Ipswich Star reported the issue last week, the charity said it visited again and decided that the best course of action was to remove the bird from the canal as soon as possible.

Mrs Byam-Rowlands said: “It was a very dramatic and emotional experience for me but I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

"We have been on quite a journey. I was there to see it all it was quite something to witness. I was in tears.”

An RSPCA spokesperson said: “RSPCA inspectors Jason Finch, Tina Nash and Nicky Thorne undertook a successful boat rescue to collect an injured cygnet on the Alderman Canal at Ipswich on September 20. 

“Previous attempts to reach the cygnet from land were not successful because of the location, so extra resources needed to be deployed to remove the bird from risk.

“The young swan was then transferred to South Essex Wildlife Hospital where it was confirmed the bird was suffering with angel wing.

"The condition is so severe that the cygnet will eventually need to be taken to a swan sanctuary to live rather than be returned to the wild.”