Early summer heat triggers problems for Busselton swan population

Wildlife rescuers are overworked trying to save baby swans caught out by the recent hot spell drying the Broadwater wetlands earlier in the season than normal.

Local rescue group Fostering and Assistance for Wildlife Needing Aid is calling for volunteers and donations of suitable food, having already saved more than 100 cygnets.

FAWNA wildlife carer Suzi Strap expects the group will be rescuing cygnets for the next six weeks.

Ms Strap said the cygnets need rescuing as a result of their wings not yet being developed enough to be able to follow their parents to the Leschenault Inlet after they left the Busselton wetlands early due to it drying out with recent hot weather.

She said the cygnets’ instincts were to move towards the next largest water body, which for the hatchlings in Broadwater, is the ocean.

“To make it to the beach the cygnets need to complete a 5km walk and traverse a busy road,” she said.

Once at the ocean the lack of appropriate food sources and fresh water will cause the young birds to become sick.

Ms Strap said the rescued birds were cared for at the FAWNA Kooljak Mia (Swan House) in Ludlow until they were able to fly and be reunited with the adult swans at the Leschenault Inlet.

So far around 20 of the rescued cygnets have recovered, and matured sufficiently for them to be returned to the wild.

Due to the demand, FAWNA is appealing for the community to join its SAS (Save A Swan) regiment and urging anyone with a vehicle, boat, or jetski to register to assist..

“We really need vehicle mounted (land) , and water operator (ocean) volunteers for our SAS regiment,” said Ms Strap.

She said people who signed up to help needed to be aware that the cygnets are almost the same size as a full-grown swan.

“This can get pretty wild, and wrestling a cygnet into your boat can be a challenge, but we are saving them, not harming them,” Ms Strap said.

She said the number of birds currently being cared for has led to an increased demand for food, and the carers are asking for donations of bulk greens.

“The number of people who have stepped up to help us is unreal,” she said.

“We recently received a donation of six bags of duck feed from a group of pensioners who wanted to help.”

For more information or to volunteer, please visit the FAWNA website www.fawna.com.au or visit their Facebook page.