Dramatic 'Ugly Duckling' Rescue On 'Mussel Beach' In Mamaroneck

MAMARONECK, NY — A mischievous cygnet picked a fortunate place to get in trouble this week.

The baby swan was just feet from the Marine Education Center at Harbor Island when the "ugly duckling" found a mussel clamped tightly on its webbed foot. Or perhaps the mama (or papa) swan knew that the park was home to a few good eggs who might be willing to lend a helping hand.

The minute-long video posted to social media features Marine Education Center Naturalist Kyle Troy attempting to unclamp the young swan from the tight predicament.

The difficult "feat" was easier said than done, in part because the proud swan parent intended to be very much involved in the rescue. At first, Kyle attempts to free the baby swan with one hand, while fending off the adult swan's efforts to assist with the other. Eventually, she gets help from another good Samaritan who helps keep the parent busy while Kyle extracts the swan from the bivalve's clutches.

You can watch the drama unfold in the video posted to the center's Facebook page.

Spoiler alert: the story has a happy ending and a feathery reunion.