In rare places, water bodies have not yet frozen, and they are home to a large number of birds. Observing swans and ducks sitting on the ice, it may seem that they need help, as it creates the impression that the birds are frozen in the ice. Although such situations are rare, in Riga, in Bolderāja, local residents witnessed a rescue operation for a swan that truly needed help, reports the show Degpunktā (TV3).
Rescuers headed to the swan that was trying to free itself from the icy surface. Upon reaching the bird, they managed to free it from the ice using a shovel and pulled it ashore.
Currently, rescuers are receiving many calls related to allegedly frozen birds in the ice. In most cases, these are false alarms — the birds are simply resting on the ice, not in a helpless state. Rescuers note that swans can lie in one place for hours without moving.
Ornithologist Dmitry Boyko explains that the rescued swan is a young mute swan, which lacks the experience to know how to protect itself in winter. However, for such a situation to arise, a simple combination is enough — ice, water, and a bird sitting with all its weight.
As observed by the show Degpunktā, the principle of natural selection was at work in Bulļupe, and unfortunately, one of the swans perished. Most likely, this bird also froze to the ice and became prey for crows. In rare cases, birds can indeed freeze their feet, but this is only possible under specific conditions.
During the filming of the Degpunktā segment, a swan was also spotted in Bolderāja, the condition of which raised doubts — whether it was lying down or frozen. Local residents are monitoring the birds, and if the situation does not change, they will contact rescuers to ensure that the swan is okay.
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