People Are Looking For Answers As To Why A Swan Became Ill

The sick swan from Forest Cemetery was receiving treatment at Mahaska Veterinary Clinic.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – A pair of swans are often found swimming in the ponds at Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa and have become an attraction that many area residents enjoy.

This past week, one of those swans became ill and seemed to be unable to open its mouth to eat. Cemetery staff noticed a substance around the bill area of the bird that appeared to be glue material.

Mark Walker said that staff had been trying to feed the birds, but one of the birds wouldn’t eat. “It would look at the food then move away.”

The birds were captured, and the swan that seemed to be unable to open its mouth was transported to Mahaska Veterinary Clinic where the bird began to get care.

One person sustained a twisted ankle during the rescue.

One of the swans was released back to the pond, and the more ill one was taken for care.

A Facebook post by the cemetery stating, “We would like all our friends help. Somebody has either fed our swans an adhesive or sprayed some chemical poison of some sort on our swans!”, got people in the community concerned about the fate of the swans.

The veterinary staff found out that the bill wasn’t glued shut, but that the bird was in enough distress that it needed to be tube fed.

Being this was the first swan the clinic had treated, they reached out to local experts at the Blank Park Zoo and Iowa State for help in treating the bird.

X-rays and blood work were done to help diagnose what else may be impacting the health of the bird.

A special blend of food was made, and after a few feedings, the swan started to respond positively to the care and even went on a walk with Dr. Teresa Carmichael.

The substance that was on the bill of the swan is still unknown but has an appearance of dried super glue.

With many different people visiting Forest Cemetery throughout the day, including after hours, things like drugs and drug paraphernalia or even moldy bread can cause the birds to become ill.

Dr. Carmichael explained that too many carbohydrates from bread could be bad for the bird’s health, but once that bread becomes moldy, the toxins may make the bird ill.

“Rabbit food pellets would be a good substitute if you want to feed the swans”, suggested Carmichael.

Fishing in the ponds is prohibited, and lead poisoning from sinkers or a fish hook lodged in the bird’s mouth were also concerns.

Donations to help offset the vet bills can be mailed or delivered to the Forest Cemetery office located at 634 North 9th Street in Oskaloosa.