Trapped Swans Rescued From Frozen Prospect Park Lake: Report

WINDSOR TERRACE, BROOKLYN — It was the Swan Lake Ice Capades. A bevy of swans trapped in a frozen Prospect Park lake Sunday morning were rescued by local animal-lovers who gathered in the park to free them, according to officials and reports.

Dog walker Randi Lass summoned animal rescuers and park officials to Prospect Park Lake after she discovered three swans locked in ice around 6 p.m. Saturday night, she told the Brooklyn Reporter.

“If you’ve ever heard a swan in distress, it’s horrible,” said Lass. “The cries, they echo when you’re there alone in the park.”

Lass immediately started calling local animal rescue organizations and various city agencies — including the FDNY and the Parks Department — to try to find someone to save the swans trapped in freezing temperatures, she said.

But it was Prospect Park Alliance worker Marty Woess — who jumped out of bed at 4 a.m. Sunday morning at Lass’ behest — who would finally free the swans, Brooklyn Paper reported.

Woess arrived at the lake around 6 a.m., where she met Lass, grabbed a boat and coasted out into the water to rescue the swans, according to the Brooklyn Paper.

Woess spent 90 minutes breaking down the ice and plucking the birds out of the water, as another concerned neighbor cooked swan meals in her home nearby, Lass told the Brooklyn Paper.

One swan was taken to the Wild Bird Fund in Manhattan, and has since been treated for hypothermia and named Xena, said director Rita McMahon.

“Her feathers are not in great shape which contributed to her being colder than she should be,” said McMahon, who described Xena as an older bird. “The good news is she was eating, happy to eat, and we’re hoping she’s gonna turn around.”

Bast and the Prospect Park Alliance declined to comment for this story and Lass did not respond to a message from Patch.

Header photo courtesy of lovelyne/Pixabay