With the onset of frost, ice appears on the reservoirs of the Tyligulskyi Regional Recreation Area, and visitors often notice swans remaining on the ice. This often causes concern and desire to "save" the birds.
Experts explain: healthy swans do not need to be rescued. These birds are well adapted to winter conditions, and the cold in itself does not pose a threat to them. Swans do not freeze to ice, and if they remain on the reservoir, it means that it is not completely frozen and the birds have access to natural food.
The main danger to swans in winter is injury and exhaustion, not low temperatures. It is also worth remembering that regular feeding by humans can be harmful, forming a dependency and depriving the birds of the skills to obtain food independently.
Help is only needed in cases where the bird:
• has visible injuries (blood, dislocated or damaged wing);
• has frozen, wet feathers;
• remains motionless for a long time and does not react to the environment
Before contacting rescue services, it is important to make sure that the swan really needs help and is not just resting on the winter reservoir of the Tyligulsky estuary.
