Scottish SPCA

Swan crashes through roof

The Scottish SPCA is caring for a young swan that crash landed through the roof of a Falkirk garden centre.

Staff and shoppers at Klondyke's Garden Centre, Polmont, were shocked when the juvenile swan plunged through the Perspex roof and landed on the shop floor on Tuesday (23 February).

Inspector Nicola Stewart rushed to the scene to rescue the distressed bird.

Miss Stewart said, "Staff had managed to contain the bird, which was visibly stressed and breathing very heavily.

"As well as the obvious stress, I was concerned for any internal injuries that it may have sustained so I quickly took the swan to our Wildlife Rescue Centre at Middlebank in Fife for examination and treatment.

"Amazingly, apart from a minor wound on one wing the swan was otherwise unharmed.

"It's possible that it may have thought the Perspex roof  was water and tried to land on it or it may have clipped nearby power lines and been disorientated or stunned.

"We're not sure how this happened exactly, we're just glad the swan is now in recovery."

Wildlife Rescue Centre Manager Colin Seddon said, "When we heard how the swan had been found we feared the worst, so it's quite remarkable that it has escaped any lasting injury.

"It will be cared for here for another day or two just to check that it is happy in itself and moving around freely and then we'll release the swan back to the wild."

Anyone wishing to report an injured or distressed wild animal should call our Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.

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