Overview
- Crews responded Tuesday to the Norwalk River near the Wall Street Bridge after reports of a swan stuck to the ice.
- Firefighters in cold-water suits used ropes to reach the bird, found its feet frozen into the ice, and freed it in about 30 minutes.
- Rescuers initially worried the swan had died, then observed movement as they approached.
- The swan was transported to the VCA Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center, where staff melted ice from its feet with warm water, provided food and water, and reported it stable with no serious wounds.
- Officials expect a proper release once veterinarians give the all-clear, and the operation also served as hands-on ice-rescue training during the recent cold weather, with published photos showing the bird on a rescue float and swaddled before being pulled to shore.