Rescue photograph: Ron Vester
Swan Sanctuary volunteer and KLPA member Louisa Green, who told us the moving story of the swans on Highgate Number One Pond earlier this year, has sent us this less happy update and appeal for witnesses.
It is with great sadness that I can confirm that Mrs Newbie, the former widow swan on Hampstead Heath who recently found love at The Swan Sanctuary in March, was attacked by a dog at around 4.30pm on Monday 13 July 2020. She has sustained a very serious injury to her left wing and is currently undergoing treatment at The Swan Sanctuary. The incident was witnessed and the relevant details have been passed on to the City of London Corporation Hampstead Heath, who are conducting their own investigation and appealing for further witnesses. Can I please request that anyone with information please contact hampstead.heath@cityoflondon.gov.uk, lgreen2891@gmail.com or Crime Stoppers if you prefer.
Across ten stressful hours over Monday and Tuesday evening with three swan ambulances, seven rescuers from two organisations and three kayaks, Mrs Newbie was finally caught by Steve from Swan Support. This was incredibly distressing for all involved, as ultimately she was gently chased around the pond for the best part of an hour until she was too tired to carry on any longer. This was the only remaining tactic we could deploy, as by this point her injury was 24 hours old and we simply had to do anything we could to catch her. Her and Wallace were calling to each other from across the pond throughout, and the cygnets were frantically scattering before retreating to the safety of their nest.
Once caught, Gill Walker and I took Mrs Newbie to The Swan Sanctuary where her wound was examined and she received antibiotics and pain relief. Once her wound had been dressed and she was placed in a pen, she immediately called for Wallace. We are hopeful that she will recover but it is too soon to make a prediction at this stage and as with all dog bites, our main worry is infection. Her mate Wallace remains in Hampstead at this time and is currently looking after their seven cygnets. I am keeping a close eye on them all, but Wallace is no doubt eagerly awaiting her return and the cygnets are undoubtedly wondering where their Mum is.
Mrs Newbie had been alone on Hampstead Heath since the tragic death of her mate in 2016. Following the arrival of a new swan pair to the Heath this Spring, she left her pond and landed on a neighbouring roof which overlooks the block of flats that Mr Newbie crashed into and died four years ago. She was taken to The Swan Sanctuary for 36 hours of recuperation where she met Wallace, who was recovering from surgery to remove two fishing hooks back in January. After knocking back every potential suitor for four years, something about him must have caught her eye and the pair have been inseparable ever since. Ten weeks after they were brought to her pond in Hampstead, they welcomed seven cygnets and is it therefore heartbreaking that she is now spending time away from her new family.
A devastating interlude to what has been a national and heart-warming story from day one.