Like swans were caught in Moscow

November 27 Moscow city pond on the street Olof Palme. Two dozen people, several boats, nets, landing nets, two television channels and a crowd of local residents. Approximately in the entourage passed one of the most unusual rescue operations, in which I had to participate. We saved a pair of white swans. Apparently, some aesthetes played enough with the birds in their own country, and when it was cold, just took the birds to the nearest pond. Released "freedom", so to speak. Released and if not doomed to death by starvation, then certainly to death by dogs. Swans have clipped wings. They can not fly away.
More than a month a couple of locals fed. The kids were happy, the people photographed birds. But with the onset of cold weather people sounded the alarm. Soon the pond freezes over and swans die. They began ringing in the MOE, the zoo, Greenpeace, etc. We, Greenpeace, call, by the way, quite often. With a request from the "get a cat tree" to "save the poor eagle / monkey, with which pictures of tourists on Red Square." Alas, we do not normally deal with such problems. But this time, tried nevertheless to help. Phoned the guys from "Spasrezerva" agreed to the zoo, where the expert promised to send, and then take the bird. We communicate with ornithologists, who told that an adult swan wing blow can break a wrist, and from beak general should stay away. Therefore it was necessary to equip the full: costumes, masks, helmets. Fortunately, the birds were very tame (either tired, or really long lived alongside humans). In general, no one peck and not sting)))
About an hour after the boat was lowered into the water and began to drive the swans to the shore, they managed to catch. With the help of nets.
The operation involved: Greenpeace activists, zoo staff, a team of volunteer corps "Spasrezerv."
Caught swans were taken by representatives of the Moscow Zoo.
22 Photo © Igor Podgorny





When we got to the pond swans quietly preening feathers. Not paying attention to the audience.



Also swans on the pond and ducks live ordinary Ogar.



We had a couple of scenarios capture swans. One of them was supposed to cut off the path of swans on the open water with a net.



Once the network is stretched out on the bank and raised ...



The smartest bird sailed away from the coast.



It was necessary to prepare the boat.



Trial race. Walk under 5 unusually strong little motor, activists used to more speed)



Dressed in a wetsuit. It seems such a suit called the "dry", that is, the water in it does not fall



From the costume should be completely squeeze out the air and only then fasten. Without the help of comrades can not do.



Set up in the water network.



Swan boat began to chase to chase him to the right shore.

Trying to catch a bird on the water. Despite clipped wings, swans smartly skedaddle.



Finally, one of the birds was able to drive to the coast where it has been waiting for: both on land and in water.



One down!



15



Now gently pull out the main swan of a net without breaking his neck.



And the swan in the hands of the rescuer.



Next - simpler. The bag ...



and in the car to not frozen until the second catch.



But with the second it proved all the easier. Bird exhausted and could not even get away from our low-speed boats. Swan managed to catch a butterfly net right on the water.



The prisoner was taken to the bank.



Then they attached to fellow



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