SWANS have been moved from a dried up city pond after they became dehydrated and had no access to natural food.
We previously reported the water level of the pond in Knightswood Park has drastically dropped once again, despite money being set aside by Glasgow City Council to fix it two years ago.
The council confirmed they have now identified the main leak which has been reducing the pond to a "muddy puddle" during summer months over the last few years, much to the dismay of local residents.
READ NEXT: Knightswood Park pond reduced to 'muddy puddle' as water levels drop once again
(Image: Glasgow City Council)
Belinda Beattie told the Glasgow Times last week that the park's swans were in a "sorry state" and she was having to give them bowls of water and feed them corn.
She also said she was unsure if the swans were moulting and were therefore unable to fly away to a better location.
She said: "Everyone’s upset because going through Covid they’ve used it [the pond].
"A lot of people we’ve spoken to have come out and started walking round the pond, they’ve met other people, and it’s been good for morale.
"But I know at the moment, a couple of my friends, they don’t want to be near the pond because it’s distressing seeing the animals distressed.
"Swans are beautiful creatures, they preen, they look after themselves, and they’ve got no water to bathe."
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Belinda Beattie (Image: Robert Perry)
Now, the council has confirmed that Countryside Rangers alongside volunteers from Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Service have rescued five swans from Knightswood Park.
In a post on Facebook, they said: "The swans couldn’t fly as they were moulting and had no flight feathers, they were dehydrated and had no natural food."
The swans have since been released at Hogganfield Loch.
READ NEXT: Man hits out at council after pond not 'repaired' despite allocated funding
Knightswood Park pond (Image: Robert Perry)
The pond’s water level started to drop towards the end of April as it has in previous years.
Belinda, who works in IT, says she is concerned about the lack of information about what is being done to repair the pond.
She said: "Whoever you talk to they seem to have different information so I don’t know what the true information is.
"But certainly the pond isn’t filling up and there is a hole there at the side and it appears to be letting out water.
"I don’t think we’re getting enough answers because what is the primary issue and what have they done about it?"
She added: "It’s so miserable looking at it just with a big puddle."
A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: "This has unfortunately been a recurring issue and various measures have been implemented to maintain the pond over the past two to three years.
"We believe we have identified the main outlet for water that has been causing this issue and that has now been blocked off.
"Hopefully this will make a difference to water levels in the pond as it captures and retains rainwater over the coming weeks.
"However, we intend to undertake further investigations to ensure all potential issues are resolved and our aim is to create a natural and sustainable environment for the wildlife that inhabits the pond.
"Wildlife and waterfowl at the pond will be monitored by our countryside ranger service and they will take appropriate action to protect its well-being.”"
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