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After Seeing a Swan Out of Place, One Man Turned Into a ‘Swan Whisperer’ and Guided it Back Home
Thanks to one concerned citizen, a swan in Limerick, Ireland is back where it belongs.
The Limerick Animal Welfare shared a post on its Facebook page on Sunday telling the tale of a swan and a man named Jack McGrath. When McGrath noticed the swan on a bridge, he called the Limerick Animal Welfare to see what he could do to help.
“Jack give us a call yesterday to say a swan was on the bridge and what could be done to help,” Limerick Animal Welfare wrote on Facebook. “After getting some information on the condition of the swan we talked to Jack about the possibility of either lifting or guiding the swan to the slipway and back to the safety of the water.”
Since the Limerick Animal Welfare was about 25 minutes away, McGrath decided to guide the bird back to the water.
“There were a couple of tourists hanging around but they didn’t know what to do,” McGrath told the Limerick Leader. “No one else really stopped to help. I kept whistling at him, and he just followed me, although we were stuck in the middle of the road for a while, and motorists kept laughing at us trying to get across.”
First, McGrath stopped traffic and helped the swan cross the street.
He carefully guided the bird to the edge of the bridge.
The pair then took a stroll down the steps towards the water.
Near the water McGrath found an opening where the swan was able to jump in and swim back to safety.
Limerick based photographer Deirdre Power was able to capture the rescue of the swan simply because she was at the right place at the right time. Power then posted the photos of the rescue on Facebook where they went viral.
McGrath was surprised by the public reaction since he didn’t think twice about helping the swan.
“I am amazed at the public reaction for something that to me would be such a simple thing to do in helping an animal in need, as I can’t pass an animal in distress without helping,” Jack McGrath told Your Daily Dish. “I think it’s a small thing in my day, but to see the reaction from everyone humbled me so much! I was just inspired by seeing an animal in distress, be it swans, dogs, cats or any animal. I’d never like to see it in need and no one around to help!”
He continued, “The swan whisperer is what everyone in Limerick is calling me now!”
Check out all the photos from the swan’s journey here.