Oil-covered swans rescued from canal by RSPCA in East Lancashire

Six swans have been rescued after they were spotted covered in an "oil-like" substance near an East Lancashire canal.
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Concerns were raised for the family - made up of two parents and eight cygnets - after they were spotted near a canal located just off Eden Street in Blackburn.

Numerous attempts were made over the past five days to rescue the swans from the canal without splitting the family up, but inspectors say this hasn't been possible.

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The mother and five of the cygnets were rescued today (August 18), and the father and the other three youngsters will be rescued in the near future.

Concerns were raised for the family after they were spotted near acanal in Blackburn. (Credit: RSPCA)Concerns were raised for the family after they were spotted near acanal in Blackburn. (Credit: RSPCA)
Concerns were raised for the family after they were spotted near acanal in Blackburn. (Credit: RSPCA)

“It was important to make sure that none of the cygnets were left behind without a parent so we’ve removed the mother and five youngsters today and will go back for the dad and the other three," RSPCA inspector Natalie Taylor said.

It is not yet know what the substance is, but the swans have reportedly been "wheezing" as a result of their exposure to the mysterious oil.

Natalie added: "The birds have remained active throughout but they are preening a lot and trying to clean the substance off, and the ones we’ve rescued so far seem to be wheezing."

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The rescued swans have been moved to the RSPCA's Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Cheshire where they’ll be examined and treated by specialists.

To help the RSPCA keep investigating incidents like this, donate through their website by clicking HERE.

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