The stricken creature was seen near the roundabout approach on London Road in Hilsea last week. Police were able to bring the white bird to safety, away from oncoming traffic.
It was then put back in the water with its family at Hilsea Lido. Portsmouth Police were able to write a tongue in cheek response after the animal was rescued.
The force said: “This evening the team responded to a report of a concern for welfare of an animal in the middle of the road. The following description was given: ‘Its about two feet tall, long slender neck, kinda orange and black bill. Anything else?… Well It’s a Swan’.
“We are pleased to say we managed to locate and reunite the Swan with its family at the Hilsea Lido.”
I’m pleased that everything ended well 😊
The swan being rescued and returned to Hilsea Lido. Pictures: Portsmouth Police.
A little more about swans
Swans are emblematic, majestic, magnificent, grandiose and gracious; you’ll run out of superlatives to describe them!
These large waterbirds have featured in human myth, folklore and legend for many thousands of years and have a rather regal position in British culture courtesy of their ownership by the British Crown (in the case of Mute swans, at least).
This ancient tradition dates back to 1482 and culminates each year in the practice of Swan Upping, an annual ceremony in which Mute swans on the River Thames are ringed and released.
