Call of the wild (From Western Telegraph)

Call of the wild

A crowd of residents turned out to welcome home the Hazelbeach swans last week.

Fourteen swans were rescued six months ago, some near to death from kerosene poisoning following a leakfrom a tank near Hazelbeach.

"This is very emotional, but an absolutely fantastic sight to see them flying so well," said Maria Evans, of Tinkers Hill Birds of Prey and Swan Rescue Centre, Amroth, who nursed them back to health.

"They look beautiful and very happy to be home.

"To have had them for six months has been hard work but well worth it. They were in a very poor state when we first caught them."

Mervin Lewis, also from the rescue centre said: "As we came over the bridge, all the swans immediately saw the water and turned their heads to look. They definitely knew they were home."

One young bystander, Leah Delahaye, from Neyland added: "I am really happy to see them back. They are back where they belong."

Local vet Lance Jepson was onhand to oversee the operation. "The swans were very badly contaminated with kerosene and very weak. They were no longer waterproof and had burnt tongues. Injesting kerosene is likely to have damaged the gut lining and the immune system. They are now stunning, having been nursed back to full health.

"The progress has all been down to Maria Evans and her team at Tinkers Hill." Representatives from Petroplus were also present and assured that they would do all in their power to prevent another leak.