Swan Stranded Off Route 22 Rescued By Somerset Regional Animal Shelter Officers: Video

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Thanks to two Somerset Regional Animal Shelter officers, a stranded swan avoided becoming roadkill and was able to swim off to freedom in a nearby pond. (See video below)

On Wednesday, a FedEx driver called in to report a swan stranded on a Route 22 median of the on/off ramp to Mountain Avenue in Bridgewater.

Animal Control Officer Jesse Ostrowski and Shelter Manager Brian Bradshaw went out to the area around 2:50 p.m. and saw the swan was completely surrounded by roadways and feared she may be hit by a vehicle.

The swan was not injured and seemed to be lost, as most swans travel in pairs. It seemed as though this swan lost her mate. Ostrowski called the Raptor Trust, which told her that swans need water and can't live off the land, especially in a place like that.

It took about a half-hour for the pair to save her, as they had to be careful not to scare her into oncoming traffic.

"Brian and I kind of corralled her into an area with all bushes so she couldn't get out or run towards the highway," said Ostrowski. "I quickly netted her and Brian grabbed her."

When they grabbed the swan, Ostrowski said she fought back a bit, spreading her wings and extending her neck into the air.

"We didn't expect her to be so heavy!" said Ostrowski.

The swan, with its neck fully extended, was about the size of Ostrowski's entire body.

"When we finally got the net over her head and neck, I was happy," said Ostrowski. "All I could think about were the cars on [Route] 22."

After getting the swan into a carrier, Ostrowski and Bradshaw brought her to a nearby pond in Middlesex to set her free.

As swans normally have a mate, Ostrowski said they are continuing to keep an eye out for it in the area.

Overall, Ostrowski is relieved this had rescue had a happy ending.

The Somerset Regional Animal Shelter is located at 100 Commons Way in Bridgewater and is always in need of donations. To donate, visit srasnj.org.

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