Swan rescued from frozen Lancashire lake after getting trapped in the ice

Lancashire: A young swan, known as a cygnet, found itself in a bit of a pickle. It got stuck in the ice on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal during a cold snap.

A dog walker spotted the poor thing near Riley Green, where it had been trapped for at least two days. Thankfully, RSPCA Inspector Carl Larsson came to the rescue. He used a special pole to break the ice and guide the swan to a safer, unfrozen spot under a nearby bridge.

Inspector Larsson mentioned that they often get calls about birds stuck in frozen canals. The slow-moving water can freeze up pretty quickly. While it’s not always an emergency, this time it was crucial to help the cygnet since it couldn’t move and was vulnerable to predators.

He found a larger pool of water about 200 meters away, which was a much better option for the bird. The swan was young, with some grey feathers, and probably just needed a little help navigating the harsh weather.

Despite the beautiful snowy scenery, it was freezing out there. The rescue went smoothly, and he was relieved they didn’t need a boat to get the job done. The cygnet was released quickly, which was great.

As the weather warms up, the RSPCA expressed gratitude to everyone who kept an eye on animals during the cold. They received over 80 calls about animals in distress due to the freezing temperatures, especially concerning water birds.

If you ever see an animal trapped in ice, it’s best to stay safe and not try to rescue it yourself. Just keep an eye on it and report any concerns to the RSPCA for guidance.

For tips on keeping pets and wildlife safe in cold weather, check out the RSPCA’s website.

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