Wounded swan on the mend thanks to big-hearted boater

A rare trumpeter swan may live to swim another day thanks to the quick-thinking intervention of an eastern Ontario man.

Rob Fenwickwas boating with his wife in Depot Lakes Conservation Area near Napanee, Ont., Sunday, when he noticed the bigbird limply waving its wing in an unsuccessful attempt to take off.

"We noticed it was alone on the lake and as we went to take some pictures we noticed it was bleeding and very frightened," Fenwickwrote in a Facebookpost.

Fenwick called the nearby Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre for advice.

After a quick chat, Fenwickchased the injured animalalmost the length of the lake until it allowed him to get close enough to help.

"We managed to get it on the boat with its head covered to make it docile," Fenwicksaid. That's when he noticed what looked like a gunshot wound on the bird's wing.

The coupletransported the birdto the wildlife centre, where they learned there are fewer than 1,000 trumpeter swans left in Ontario, although the bird is not currently listed amongspecies at risk in the province.

Fenwicksaid he believes a hunter illegally tried to kill the bird. He's reported the incident to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

"I hope the person who shot this beautiful [rare]bird knows that by noon tomorrow every game warden in the area will be looking for them," Fenwicksaid.