About us

The Sanctuary

Dorothy Beeson is The Swan Sanctuary's founder and recipient of the British Empire Medal for her unstinting work in swan welfare which started in her back garden in the early 1980s. Over the years Dot's work outgrew her garden so she sold her house to help finance the cost of setting up the first national sanctuary on a 2-acre site in Egham, Surrey where she lived in a caravan with her partner, Steve, along with around 10 cats, 2 dogs, 4 lovebirds and a traumatised parrot called Charlie.

Finally, after years of searching, high hopes, shattered dreams and utter frustration, a new home for the sanctuary was found in Shepperton, Middlesex. After 6 months of hard work by teams of volunteers, Dot was finally able to move to the new site in the summer of 2005. This new site, as you'll find detailed elsewhere on this web site, gives the sanctuary the chance to start afresh on a much larger scale and finally open to the public - a dream that Dot has wanted to fulfill for over a decade.

The Victims

Swans have few natural enemies. Unfortunately there is no shortage of unnatural threats: thousands of swans are attacked, poisoned, shot and injured every year.

The Dangers

One of the most common causes of injury to swans is discarded fish hooks. Swans forage on river beds for their food so a hook and line can easily be swallowed.

Another great danger is power lines, especially where they are near to water. The swans often can't see them and a whole flock crashes. Despite our pleas, many power companies are still reluctant to fit plastic discs to the lines to increase visibility, even though this has been successful in other countries.

There is always a problem with vandalism, such as people throwing stones or firing air rifles at the birds. Sometimes the adult swans are killed so that the cygnets can be stolen, but most times the attacks are completely mindless.

But the biggest threat remains pollution, whether industrial or domestic. Oil toxicosis is caused by spillage of petroleum products and is not easy to treat. We're regularly called in to deal with major incidents such as the 1996 Sea Empress oil spillage. At the same time many people don't realise that if, for example, they let engine oil drain into the gutter it will end up in a river. Small spillages like this add up to another Sea Empress every year.

The Rescue

The Swan Sanctuary and its associate centres around the country are on 24-hour alert, 365 days a year. When a 'swan in distress' call comes in the local rescue squad is on its way within minutes. At the scene the rescuers assess the situation and provide 'front-line' emergency treatment. More seriously injured birds are then rushed to the sanctuary for intensive care.

The Treatment

At the sanctuary each injured bird is examined and X-rayed before going into our operating theatre - the only one of its kind in the country - where a full range of anaesthetic, oxygenation and surgical equipment is available.

After initial treatment each patient is transferred to the intensive care ward and its condition closely monitored. Well over 3,000 swans and thousands more waterbirds are currently treated every year.

The Recovery

Once a bird regains fitness it is placed in one of our outdoor rehabilitation pens. Each swan is placed among those from the area closest to its home territory. Finally, after a lot of care, attention and highly nutritious food, the swan is ready for the most satisfying part of the sanctuary's work - the return to its natural habitat.

Sometimes a disabled bird is no longer capable of defending its territory and its young. In these cases we consult our list of 'protected' waters to find the swan a new home where help is on hand. We are always on the look out for suitable new lakes and waterways so, if you feel you can help, please contact us for further information.