In a heart-warming turn of events following a tragic loss, 11 swan eggs brought into care by Cuan Wildlife Rescue have begun to hatch. The eggs, rescued after both parent swans were found dead on a local canal, are now showing signs of life, with several cygnets already emerging and others expected to hatch soon.
The swans’ deaths initially prompted a police investigation, and West Mercia Police have since confirmed that criminal activity is no longer suspected. It is now believed the adult birds were likely killed by another animal. The incident deeply affected the local community, which is known for its commitment to protecting the canal and its wildlife.
Due to the urgent nature of the situation, Cuan Wildlife Rescue launched a rapid fundraiser to purchase a specialist Brinsea OvaEasy egg incubator large enough to care for the clutch. The response from the public was immediate and overwhelming, enabling the rescue team to quickly purchase the incubator from Brinsea.
Anna from Cuan Wildlife Rescue expressed her gratitude, saying:
‘When we rang Brinsea on the Friday of a bank holiday weekend they were so helpful, as we needed the egg incubator as soon as possible to give the eggs the best chance of survival. Brinsea provided fantastic customer service and Juliette was so helpful, checking on times we would arrive to ensure they remained open. The eggs were removed due to a police investigation after their parents were killed — this was approved by Natural England, as it is an offence to remove or disturb a nest. We have used Brinsea incubators for over 10 years and they have saved countless lives.’
The team also thanked Juliette personally, noting her kindness and professionalism, and describing her as ‘a credit to Brinsea.’
Thanks to fast coordination between Cuan Wildlife Rescue, local authorities, and the generous support of the public, the rescued eggs were given the best chance of survival. Staff were very excited to hear the audible peeping of the eggs in the incubator, indicating cygnets were on the way.
This story, though born of sadness, has become a powerful testament to community spirit, professional dedication, and the resilience of nature.
UPDATE: Five of the eggs hatched successfully, the cygnets are all healthy and are doing well. They will be cared for by Cuan Wildlife Rescue until they can be released.
