04/06/2026
We all love to see the swans on the river and it's very tempting to feed them but this article from Bath Swan Rescue explains the dangers of feeding them with unsuitable foods like bread/left over sandwiches. Meat products or feeding in shallow still water can cause Avian Botulism. This is not dangerous for humans apparently, but it can be lethal for the swans.
Please read the article so you know what to do and who to contact if you see a swan in difficulty.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14eVipoZHHm/
AVIAN BOTULISM AWARENESS ⚠️
When it rains, it really does pour. Yesterday, after another complex cygnet rescue, one of our team found a swan in an extremely bad way.
The swan is being collected by DEFRA today for testing to confirm but symptoms were consistent with Botulism. This is something we experienced at our Bath flock last year that took the lives of many of the swans. So we wanted to share some information in case we are looking at another outbreak.
Botulism is caused by ingestion of a toxin produced by the botulinum bacterium. This bacteria particularly thrives in warm conditions which is why outbreaks are usually seen when water is hot and stagnant/slow moving. There is some evidence that construction near river beds can disrupt the spores so cases may be more apparent in these locations.
Sources of the toxin can include mouldy bread, meat products (including dried mealworms) and decomposing vegetation/invertebrates.
Botulism takes no prisoners. Last year we saw swans go from asymptomatic to deceased within 2 hours. It predominantly affected our juvenile swans.
The main symptoms to look out for include:
-Gradual paralysis: swans will become paralysed/unable to move. They will often be unable to hold their own heads up and therefore pass away from drowning. Their neck will usually either hang completely forward or backwards against their body
-Drooped wings from loss of muscle control. You may also notice their feet trialing behind them
-Weakness/lethargy
-Difficulty eating/drinking
-Respiratory struggle: you may see swans holding their beaks open
-Lack of blinking response
Ways you can help:
-Call for rescue immediately: One of the biggest risks to swans with botulism is drowning. It’s important they’re rescued from the water ASAP and get urgent veterinary care
-Do NOT offer a swan with botulism food/water- treatment usually includes IV fluids/medication, activated charcoal to absorb toxins, and other supportive measures which may include assisted feeding, eye drops and B12 injections to promote appetite. I know we have a few veterinary professionals following so do feel free to drop us a line and we can share the medication trio we recommend for botulism treatment
-Report deceased swans to us urgently- the main way botulism spreads is when wildlife consumes maggots on carcasses infected with botulism. Therefore removing bodies is really essential. DEFRA are unable to retrieve from water but we are able to do this and then contact them for collection
-Do not throw meat based items into the water (even in small quantities like leftover sandwiches containing meat)
-Do not give swans any bread (or other food) that has mould on
-Avoid feeding in areas where the water appears stagnant/shallow
Please note the strain of botulinum bacterium usually impacting waterfowl is not a risk to humans
Thank you all for your support. We’ll be adding some more PPE equipment onto our wish list as a precaution and will share our PayPal details in case anyone wants to contribute to our pot for vet bills/petrol. Thank you 🩷
amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/90D7KDJEMQ8T?ref_=wl_share
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/BathSwanRescue
