WE’RE NOT BIG fans of swans. Irish swans, to be specific.
Look at them there, swanning around, blocking traffic.
But this story about a swan and its human friend is going viral, for the most amazing reason.
Richard Wiese, TV host of Born To Explore, visited Abbotsbury Swannery in Dorset a few years ago to film the show.
He helped nurse a swan back to health after it was injured from flying into a chain link fence. The swan was then taken to a sanctuary to be nursed back to be treated, but not before quick embrace with its hero.
These photos of the pair are pretty much unbelievable
Wiese told ABC News :
I grabbed it, had one arm over its wings and the other at the base of its neck. I pulled it to my chest and somehow it felt comfortable or safe, and within minutes it just surrendered itself. It literally took its neck and wrapped it around mine.
I could feel its chest beating against mine. To fully experience it, I felt like I wanted to close my eyes and isolate myself for the moment. It’s a really terrific feeling when you feel that bond and mutual trust with this non-verbally communicating animal, when the animal realizes you intend it no harm.
The photos were taken two years ago, but have only recently went viral when uploaded to Imgur.