Kip’s Comments - December 11, 2025

Kudos to Karissa

About the time my pork tenderloin was being going in the cooker tonight my buddy Robert called asking for guidance. His neighbor - Karissa - found a downed young of the year trumpeter swan in the middle of the road near their homes. Soon the four of us - add Caden to the team - were in place to give this young swan its best chance for survival.

Downed Young Trumpeter Swan - Image 1049185

After catching the bird I did a basic “look over” in hopes of determining why the bird was not able to fly. The swan could certainly flap its wings, but its legs/feet did not appear to be working. I saw only a little blood on the feathers, so that was not a clue. My best guess is this young bird - one of four in the field - hit a power line as the probable swan family was landing in the corn stubble.

Like I told my three swan catching partners… do not get your hopes up. This could be a power line hit with recovery. It could be a power line hit with terminal injuries. This could be something else. Only time and an examination by a rehabber will maybe give us answers.

Downed Young Trumpeter Swan - Image 1049188

I will be taking the swan to a rehabber tomorrow. The DNR was notified and is aware of the situation.

My thanks to Karissa for recognizing something had to be done and beginning the process, and to Robert and Caden for your help with the capture. Good job!!

Another thanks to the donors of the capture equipment. Unfortunately, it gets used too often.