Impaled Swan Returned To The Wild

Good news for animal lovers: today, the Long Island swan that was cruelly impaled with an arrow by some sick person in July was released back into the wild, arrow-free.

The swan had been recovering at a wildlife rescue center in Hampton Bays after being recovered near Indian Island County Park. When it was found, the swan could barely walk and SPCA officials didn't think it would make it. Yesterday, officials carried the now-healthy swan in a plastic tub back to the golf course where it was found in Riverhead.

"This is a good day for an animal that has been tortured, tormented and abused," said Suffolk County SPCA Chief Roy Gross. “We’re so happy today to be able to go there and see the release of the swan back into the wild where it belongs...As soon as it saw the water, it just looked at that water like, 'I’m home.'"

The box turtle that was found in Smithtown with a nail driven through its shell at around the same time as the swan is also expected to make a full recovery, officials said. The Suffolk SPCA is offering a $14,750 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for shooting the swan. Anyone with information should call the Suffolk County SPCA at (631) 382-7722.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jamie Feldmar in News on September 14, 2011 12:08 PM

Comments [rss]

Joey__Blow

OMG! A vicious mute swan released to destroy habitat and attack native wildlife! These horrible, sadistic, vengfull creatures are undocumented aliens who have killed off America's Duck and other waterfowl.

All these white menaces should be rounded up and shipped back to Europe! where they came from.

Guest

The swan was cruelly impaled? I don't think that word means what you think it means. In other parts of the civilized world, the headline would read "Swan Shot by Hunter. Hunter Forgets To Retrieve Dinner". And how in the hell was it tortured, tormented and abused? It was shot with a single arrow. Seriously, people REALLY need to choose their words carefully, lest their meaning be lost.

TheRealCannibal

2 swan breasts (they are normally between 300g and 400g each)
A sprinkle of olive oil and wine
1 onion
A dash of cooking oil
½ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon ground coriander
1/3 cup raisins
1 lemon

Trim the breasts and simply cut across the breast into five to six pieces. Cut the end pieces a little thicker so that all the pieces are around the same weight. Gently tap each piece out a little with a light meat mallet. You can use the back of a knife - you just need to shape each piece into nice little medallion steaks. Put them into a dish, sprinkle over the oil and wine and a generous grind of black pepper. Cover with cling film and chill until required.Peel the rind from the lemon and cut into thin strips. Add a cup of boiling water to the raisins, the lemon rind and a little squeeze of juice. Dice the onions, fry a minute or two in a small saucepan then add the spices and a pinch of salt and pepper. Add the raisins, water and lemon and simmer until it has reduced and the onions are soft (around fifteen minutes). Season to taste.Preheat a heavy pan or barbecue flat top. Place on the steaks and cook a couple of minutes on each side. Rest in a warm place for 5 -10 minutes then serve with the spiced onions.