A fractured webbed foot is no cause for a swan song for Bella, an injured swan who resides at the Palace of Fine Arts lagoon in San Francisco.
Bella was transported to the San Francisco Zoo last week for treatment of a fracture to her left foot and a possible infection.
The 2-year-old swan was later taken to her birth home, run by a swan breeder in Point Reyes, where she is receiving treatment.
Bella arrived in Point Reyes limping on her swollen foot and running a fever, exotic bird breeder Jack Long said.
But after almost a week of treatment and antibiotics, Bella’s fever is gone, she is swimming well, and she has a healthy appetite, Long said.
“She doesn’t like me because I have to shove a pill the size of a gumball down her throat, so she’s like, ‘Get away from me!'” Long said.
Next week, Bella will be reassessed by a veterinarian at the San Francisco Zoo and hopefully be returned to the Palace of Fine Arts lagoon, he said.
Bella’s foot is still swollen but Long said he is optimistic about her recovery.
A volunteer swan caretaker with the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department first noticed Bella’s injury, city officials said. The volunteer took the swan to Animal Care and Control for initial inspection and care.
The cause of Bella’s injury is unknown, but Long said he guesses she got caught between two rocks and injured herself trying to get free.
Bella and her brother, Blue Boy, joined Blanche, another swan at the park’s lagoon after the completion of a restoration project for the Palace of Fine Arts in January.
The recent discovery of a fertile egg might mean that the lagoon will have another member joining its swan family, Long said.
Rachel Purdy, Bay City News
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