""Both were injured over their right eye, and they are not consistent with swan-on-swan attacks," said Squad member Mary Beth Artz. "This is a family, these cygnets are only seven months old. They're not being pushed out yet by their parents, they're not aggressive with one another ... these are consistent with a probable dog attack." Rachel Frank, an animal care manager and rehabber at the Wild Bird Fund who has been caring for the birds, agreed."
"Rachel Frank, an animal care manager and rehabber at the Wild Bird Fund who has been caring for the birds, agreed. The clinic has treated other birds with similar and severe injuries from dog attacks, she said. Thanks to their large size, mute swans are rarely threatened by natural predators - like foxes or coyotes - unless they're already injured or sick."
Two seven-month-old cygnets from Prospect Park were found injured and were rescued Dec. 14, then transported to the Wild Bird Fund for treatment of head and eye wounds. The cygnets hatched this summer and remain with their parents and three siblings in the park. Park rangers were unable to capture the birds initially, and local volunteers from the "Swan Squad" later rescued and delivered them to the clinic. One cygnet has a severe laceration above the right eye being treated with antibiotics and pain medication; the other has a cloudy right eye that may be more serious. Clinic staff note similar injuries have resulted from dog attacks.
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