Swan's wing amputated

The Observer told last week how bird-lovers had been distressed at the plight of the patriarch of the park's much-loved family of swans.

The cob (pictured) broke a wing when trying to land on the park's frozen lake. When the matter was brought to the attention of the Observer, the paper contacted animal sanctuary founder Barby Keel.

Because swans are a protected species and should only be approached by skilled handlers, Barby contacted a swan sanctuary.

Staff from East Sussex Wildlife Rescue Ambulance Service rescued the cob late last Wednesday.

The bad news was that experts at VetCall in Brighton then had to take the tough decision to amputate the badly broken wing. But the good news is that not only is the cob now recovering well but that handlers returned the following day and took his mate, the pen, so that the pair can be reunited.

Swans mate for life and both the experts and the park swans' loyal band of humans friends and guardians had been concerned that each would pine for the other.

With the mother went the last remaining cygnet from the pair's Spring brood of eight. Having attained adulthood, the other cygnets had already been "seen off" the park lake by the father to find homes and mates of their own.

Soon the adult pair were joyfully renewing acquaintance with a courtship display which indicated that only the father's pride had been dented.