Police Officer Earns “Swan Whisperer” Moniker After Repeatedly Detaining Runaway Cygnet

Police Community Support Officer Peter Eley of South Yorkshire Police has been referred to as “the swan whisperer” after successfully apprehending a resistant, runaway cygnet on two separate occasions within a two-day period. The female bird was taken into custody by PCSO Eley from Schofield Street Park in Mexborough on Thursday, and then again on Friday after it reappeared. Nevertheless, even after being transported several miles to Sprotbrough, the swan returned to its original location once more on Saturday morning. Mexborough councillor Bev Chapman commented that the swan “obviously likes Mexborough” and humorously suggested: “We need to get him a house.” According to Chapman, while the bird remains unnamed, PCSO Eley “is definitely be going to be known as the swan whisperer.” The animal’s repeated movements are believed to stem from having been rejected by its parents. Chapman stated, “I understand they do that when they are wanting them to go off on their own,” adding, “I’m worried about him and don’t want him to come to any harm.” The bird was initially relocated to the canal at Swinton on Thursday, but it reappeared the next day. This prompted PCSO Eley to move it to a more distant location, Sprotbrough, only for it to make another return. Chapman confirmed that volunteers from the Yorkshire Swan & Wildlife Rescue Hospital rescued the swan on Saturday afternoon, and it would be transported to Thrybergh Country Park. She concluded, “All’s well that ends well.”