A much-loved black swan was returned to Spavin Lake by members of Melbourne Zoo’s marine response unit this week.
The swan was picked up by Sunbury-based Wildlife Rescue and Rehab Statewide after it was spotted with shaky legs.
Jason Farrugia, president of Wildlife Rescue and Rehab Statewide, says his not-for-profit organisation handed the sick swan to zoo specialists.
“They did a full blood count on it to see what was going on, and found it had zinc poisoning – but we are not sure how it got the zinc,” says Mr Farrugia.
While there is no evidence the swan digested zinc at Spavin Lake, which is fed by Kismet Creek, zoo officials say they let Hume City Council know what they found.
“We are not sure what the council is doing about it,” says Mr Farrugia. “How a swan could get zinc…? That’s the million dollar question.”
Zinc is commonly used by industry as a protective coating for iron and steel, about a quarter of the world’s supply is used in rubber, chemical, paint, and agricultural industries.
Mr Farrugia is also concerned about the condition of Spavin Lake which suffered from green algae in recent months, causing council to erect warning signs for the public and their pets to keep out of the water.
“I’ve spoken to Hume Council so many times about that lake and its green algae,” says Mr Farrugia. “I have asked them to put a fountain in there to aerate the water. Then the water would be circulating and not sitting still, stagnating.
“It’s a beautiful area for people and wildlife, something needs to be done. The council need to spend the money to fix up our own backyard.”
Hume City Council has been approached for comment.
