Swan Rescue South Wales, (originally Gwent Swan Rescue) was formed in the mid 1970’s with the aim of providing and promoting the rescue and welfare of swans in South Wales, and the wider UK context.
Being the only Swan rescue group in South Wales we were the contact for calls from the police and other calls received direct from members of the public.
Important Announcement
In 2025 the difficult decision was taken to start winding down our operations. One of the main reasons for this is (sorry, Peter and Ellen!) the advancing years.
Peter and Ellen, the founders of the group are now well into their 80’s, and the demanding nature of the work continues to take it’s toll. Unfortunately, although slightly younger people (like me) might find or even rescue a distressed swan, the problem then becomes “What do I do with this swan now?”.
In the past it would be passed over to Ellen or Peter, and it would then be transported by car to the National Swan Sanctuary in Shepperton – just this side of London, where expert care was available. I only made the journey once, but Peter frequently had to make the journey many times each week, and occasionally twice in one day.
After 40+ years, it is sadly, time to call it a day, however, for the time being at least, this website will remain available as a record of a tiny fraction of the work that this group was involved in.
We were a contact for the RSPCA when their Animal Collection Officers (ACOs) were unavailable, and we were asked to collect injured birds on the RSPCA’s behalf, but this seemed to have changed in 2009. The RSPCA policy of encouraging euthanasia by the ACO’s, together with other decisions apparently based on cutting costs, has resulted in a serious lack of confidence in the direction the RSPCA. See our article in the August 2009 Newsletter for more details,
Swan Rescue South Wales was run by just a few dedicated volunteers who recognised the many difficulties swans (and other water birds) encounter almost every day.
Every year Swan Rescue South Wales received many hundreds of calls for help from most parts of Wales and the west, and performed scores of rescues of injured and distressed water birds. Our support network included specialist veterinarians, rehabilitation centres, and a team of local volunteers who would undertake rescues as required.
The Swan Rescue South Wales website contains information on and links with the RSPB, education, environmental agencies, public services, sea cadets, angling and other related societies and associations.
We thank all those who helped us in our mission to protect one of Britain’s most glorious and magnificent birds!!
Directory of animal rescue web sites.
Pets and wildlife. Homes wanted, lost pets, jobs and notices
