A FEMALE swan is receiving treatment for lead poisoning after falling ill at Ackers Pit.

The RSPCA were called after a concerned couple spotted that the swan, which lives at the Stockton Heath fishery with a male swan and her five cygnets, was acting strangely and looked unwell.

Inspectors took the swan to Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Nantwich where they found that she had lead levels 16 times the normal amount for a swan.

Amateur photographer Darren Moston, whose wife Carolyn spotted the ill swan, said: “The swan was not eating, was very lethargic, not bothering with the youngsters or her partner and her neck had gone a weird shape.

“The RSPCA came out on Tuesday but couldn't catch her so they came again on Wednesday morning and they said she did look very poorly.

“She is very ill but they are hopeful she will be ok but it is going to take at least four to six weeks of intense treatment before she can come back to her partner and babies.”

RSPCA inspector Anthony Joynes said that often lead poisoning in swans is caused by fishing tackle that has been lost in the pit.

He said: “As the swans are feeding on the bottom sediment it is brought back up and then is ingested making them ill.

“I know from other swans that I've taken in with less lead poisoning and it has been touch and go whether they make it some do and some don't. But at least she's in the best place.”

Centre manager Lee Stewart said: "She arrived on the July 1 very thin and weak. Her bloods were taken by the vet and analysed on site and her lead levels were found to be extremely high.

"She was treated daily with EDTA (an acid that binds with the lead) and had her gizzard flushed and metal particles removed which is likely discarded fishing litter.

"Although she is not eating well the team are supporting her and she is at least holding her weight now. She is not out of the woods by any means but the team are hopeful that she will make a full recover."

To donate £3 to RSPCA Stapeley Grange text RSPCA2 to 70007.