AN Orelia wildlife carer has helped release a native Black Swan back into the wild following a desperate but successful bid to save its life after the bird was found bleeding and injured near Kwinana.
The heart-warming tale began last Thursday evening when Wildlife Ambo carer Marilee Burtt received a frantic call from a resident near Russell Road, who had found the bird with a large wound to its side.
“I arrived home with the swan about 11pm and began bathing its whole body in salted water to remove sand and blood, and discovered a massive hole in its side,” she said.
With the help of the Kwinana Veterinarian Clinic on Friday morning, the swan began to recover, with carers still unsure what caused the injuries.
Ms Burtt and the swan, which is the WA state emblem, formed a strong bond over the three days she cared for it.
She released it at the Zigzag Lake wetlands in Baldivis at the weekend.
“It was great to release it,” she said.
“I took it to the lake and it didn’t want to get out of the car but then it went about halfway out on the lake and I called to it, it looked back at me then flew off.
“It was amazing.”
The tireless volunteer had a busy few weeks nursing other birds including a Parda-lote Australian Peep-Wren and 28 parrots, back to health.
Ms Burtt urged residents who found animals in distress to call her. If it was a hot day, care for the animal in a cool place, possibly inside a house, to reduce heat stress until she could collect the animal.
The Wildlife Ambo can be reached on 0450 782 061.