Wild swan chicks have been saved from drowning by quick-thinking heroes who dived in to rescue them.
The cygnets had become trapped under their nesting site on a lake.
Sonia Hulme, a regular visitor to the park, noticed the distressed chicks while checking on the swan family.
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Realising the young birds had become stuck beneath wooden beams, Sonia, also an RSPCA officer, called colleagues Steve Wickham and Anthony Joynes for help.
The rescuers used a raft and ropes to carefully free the trapped cygnets as their parents watched on in Reddish Vale Country Park, Stockport, Greater Manchester, as reported by Need To Know.
Steve said: “It was a tense situation.
“The cygnets had slipped under the nest after water levels dropped during the hot summer weather we’ve had.
“Sadly, one cygnet didn’t survive, likely trampled by the other cygnets in the scramble to get free before we arrived.
“But we were able to safely rescue the remaining five and reunite them with their very protective parents.
“Swans are powerful birds and certainly don’t hold back when defending their young.
“Dad tried to give us a bit of a beating – not realising we were only trying to help.
“It’s lucky we had our helmets and buoyancy gear on.”
All the rescued cygnets appeared healthy after the rescue.
But this isn’t the first challenge faced by the swan family.
Last year, their nest sank in rising water, leaving the mum seriously ill after sitting in water throughout the breeding season.
After treatment at an RSPCA wildlife centre, she recovered and was later released back into the park.
Steve added: “It’s been a real team effort with Sonia and local members of the public who keep a close eye on these swans.
“We’ll keep monitoring them to make sure they stay safe.
“This is exactly why we carry a specialist water rescue kit – so we can quickly help in situations like this before they turn into something much worse.”
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