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Saturday, 01 April 2006 |
Rescued birds were poisoned
Two swans rescued from the water by animal hero Eddie Williams are believed to have toxic poisoning.
The swans were taken out of the River Cray on March 2 by Mr Williams from animal ambulance charity Willow Wildlife.
Blood tests on the two swans, believed to be around two years old, have detected the poisoning.
They are now receiving further treatment at Kent's Swan Sanctuary.
Mr Williams said: "The swans have some sort of toxic poisoning. We are
not sure if it is through something they have eaten or it is in the
water itself. Further tests will establish this."
Mr Williams has paid regular visits to the River Cray in Sidcup after reports the swans were not eating properly.
He treated one of the swans after it had not eaten for more than four days.
A second rescue attempt was made at the river after the other swan became ill, but was later returned to the water.
Mr Williams is unsure of how long the swans' treatment will last.
A spokesman for the Environment Agency said it recently performed pollution tests on the River Cray which were negative.
He added that there was no evidence to suggest a toxicology test was necessary.
* WE WOULD like to thank all our loyal readers who have donated to the Willow Wildlife Appeal.
Our news desk has been flooded with donations for the animal ambulance which is facing an emergency of its own.
So far, readers have donated £400 but we need you to keep being generous with donations as costs run high.
Eddie and wife Pat run the service - the only ambulance rescuing
domestic and wild animals in south-east London and north Kent - from
their Chislehurst home.
Once again we are asking Express readers to come to their aid with donations, to help the ambulance stay on the road.
Send cheques, made payable to Willow Wildlife Rescue, postal
orders or cash (notes only) to Lisa Jarvis, Willow Wildlife Appeal,
Kentish Times Newspapers, Roxby House, Station Road, Sidcup, Kent DA15
7EJ. |
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