'Burned' swan found at state park

PITTSGROVE – What kind of person would throw chemicals into the face of defenseless swan?

That's what authorities want to know as they search for clues in an apparent deliberate assault on a swan at Parvin State Park Tuesday afternoon.

A white mute swan was found still alive with head injuries around 1 p.m. Tuesday, and officials claim it may have been chemically burnt.

"It has what appears to be chemical burns to the face; it looks like somebody threw something on it," wildlife rehabilitator Victoria Schmidt told The Daily Journal on Wednesday. "It's a shame that anybody would do that to an animal. You shouldn't treat anything like that — it's very inhumane and you just don't to do that."

Several joggers made the grisly discovery in a walking trail along the Almond Road entrance to the park, according to first responder Pittsgrove Animal Control Officer Bruce Barry.

"The swan was still alive, it just had what appeared to be head injuries," Barry said. "It was by itself laying next to a log. When I walked up to it, it didn't move."

The swan is now in stable condition and in the care of rehabilitators, including Schmidt, at Delaware Valley Veterinary Hospital in Mullica Hill.

The male swan, whose age has not yet been determined, is being treated with injectible and topical antibiotics, as well as nutrients, Schmidt said.

The exact time of the incident hasn't been determined, but Schmidt said she believes it occurred sometime Tuesday.

Four swans are known to inhabit the park area, Schmidt said.

"I was there Monday and all four were there," she said. "It had to have been within that 24-hour period."

Officials cannot say for certain whether the swan was deliberately injured, but all signs seem to point to it.

When asked whether she thought chemicals could have been kicked up by a passing vehicle, Schmidt said, "I would highly doubt it, 'cause it's just to the face."

She continued, "It almost looks like when you get splattered with something and it runs — it has those run lines."

Larry Hajna, a spokesman with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, who helped out in the early part of the investigation, said the New Jersey Park Police are increasing security at Parvin State Park as a precautionary measure.

The Cumberland County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is awaiting a report from the Delaware Valley Veterinary Hospital before determining which agency will lead the investigation, according to Bev Greco, executive director of SPCA in Vineland.

Swans are considered an exotic species, Hajna added.

Daniel J. Kov; (856) 563-5262; dkov@thedailyjournal.com