Naviglio Grande oil spill leaves swan fighting for life

An oil spill in the Naviglio Grande canal near Pontevecchio di Magenta and Castelletto di Abbiategrasso has resulted in an ecological incident involving local wildlife. A mute swan was found completely covered in a thick, black, and pasty hydrocarbon substance, rendering it unable to fly.

The animal was rescued late at night by a local mechanic and his son, who used a boat and a net to retrieve the bird from the water. Following the rescue, the provincial police took custody of the swan and transferred it to the La Fagiana Wildlife Recovery Center in Magenta.

Stefania Pulici, the director of the center, reported that staff and volunteers have initiated decontamination protocols, including washing the plumage and placing the bird in a heated chamber. While the swan has shown some reactivity to medical treatments after its first two nights in care, its condition remains delicate.