Rescuers aim to save sick cygnets

The Swan Sanctuary at Shepperton is caring for two of the cygnets

Visitors to an East Sussex park have been asked to keep an eye on cygnets who may be suffering from an intestinal parasite their siblings have caught.

Three cygnets rescued from Hampden Park lake, Eastbourne were taken to the Swan Sanctuary in Shepperton, Surrey where one died but two are being treated.

The parasite causes the cygnets to lose weight. One weighed less than 4.5lb (2kg), or half its normal body weight.

Now visitors are being asked to help monitor the remaining four cygnets.

'Difficult to diagnose'

Rescuers from East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS) are working with Eastbourne Borough Council's park ranger.

"The problem they have been suffering from is very difficult to diagnose on site," said Trevor Weeks of WRAS.

"It is almost impossible to say if one of the cygnets has it until it is very underweight and very poorly."

Park visitors who see any of the cygnets out of the water or in the inlet or outlet stream of the lake, have been asked to contact WRAS rescue line or the park ranger.

"If found at one of these locations we will be able to check them fairly close up and if necessary catch them and weigh them," said Mr Weeks.

"This will help us determine if any of the other cygnets are suffering from the same problem."