Rare swan and stork rescued after life-threatening ordeals in Russia

Wildlife rescuers in Russia's Krasnodar region have treated two rare bird patients in recent weeks. A severely weakened swan was found on a frozen lake, while a stork with a wing injury was rescued in Belorechensk. Both birds required urgent veterinary care to survive.

The swan's ordeal began when a passerby spotted it collapsed on a frozen lake near Gelendzhik. The bird was emaciated, its pale mucous membranes signalling anaemia and dehydration. Normally wary of humans, it showed no fear—a clear sign of its desperate condition. An examination revealed a heavy infestation of feather mites around its head and neck, along with an electrolyte imbalance.

Veterinarians treated the mites with antiparasitic medication and provided vitamins to boost its immune and digestive systems. The swan was kept warm and fed until the snow melted. Once strong enough, it was released back into the wild.

Meanwhile, in Belorechensk, rescuers found a stork with a damaged wing. The injury left it unable to fly and struggling to stand. First aid stabilised its wing, and a treatment plan was put in place to aid recovery.

Both birds received critical care, though no official records track the exact number of injured wild birds in the region over the past year. The swan's release marked a successful recovery, while the stork continues its rehabilitation. Their cases highlight the ongoing efforts to protect vulnerable wildlife in the area.