Trio of cygnets rescued from Mango Hill nowhere near water but two baby swans still at risk

TWO cygnets are yet to be found, following the rescue of their three siblings. Rescuers hold fears the baby swans could die if not found, or could be in a backyard swimming pool, mistaken as ducklings.

Cygnets (baby swan or swanling) found at Mango Hill on August 20-21, 2015. Photo: Pelican and Seabird Rescue

TWO cygnets remain on the loose, following the rescue of their three siblings at Mango Hill, north of Brisbane, last week.

A local resident phoned Pelican and Seabird Rescue last Thursday to report the sighting of five cygnets near bushland off Maryvale Rd, close to construction of the new Moreton Bay Rail Link.

Pelican and Seabird Rescue president Hammy Forrest said the swanlings were found “nowhere near water” and did not belong to the swans at nearby Lake Eden, who have had their own dramas in recent weeks.

“The swans at Lake Eden had seven cygnets; they are now down to three,” she said.

She believed eels in the lake at North Lakes are to blame for the loss of four swanlings in the past month.

“We had thought about seeing if the Lake Eden swans would adopt these other ones but ruled that out because in the past it has been tried and been unsuccessful,” she said.

Locals say they have not seen swans in the area and the original home of this trio remains a mystery.

“One of our rescuers tried to locate their parents for about two hours. It remains a real enigma.”

One of the baby swans rescued from Mango Hill.

The three cygnets, aged between two and four weeks, were taken to the RSPCA for a vet check and will now spend the first six months at a rescue and rehabilitation centre on the Sunshine Coast before being released into the wild.

Ms Forrest said she held fears for the other two cygnets which “bolted” into the bushland and were never seen again.

“It is strange to see swans around there. Swans generally stay in the water and very rarely go out,” Ms Forrest said.

They are cute and look similar to ducklings. She said someone may have rescued the cygnets, not realising what they were.

“They would soon get a surprise when they start growing up.”

She said the chance of survival significantly decreased as time went on.

To report injured or at risk wildlife, phone Pelican and Seabird Rescue on 0404 118 301 or phone the RSPCA Wildlife hotline on 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625).