The lives of a swan and the cygnets that depend on it are hanging in the balance after it was injured by a fishing lure near Budleigh Salterton.

The swan was seen to be in distress last week after getting a fishing lure caught on its throat.

It was captured by Kate and Ed of the Pebblebed Heath Conservation Trust, and Tony of Wild-Woodbury.

The heroic trio waded up the mouth of the River Otter and corralled the stressed bird in a stream so that it could be secured.

The swan was then rushed to Exeter Veterinary Surgery where the bird's injuries were cleaned and dressed. After receiving pain relief and antibiotics, the bird is scheduled for surgery today (August 25).

Unfortunately the lure appears to have also damaged the bird's oesophagus. While Steve and the team at Exeter Veterinary Surgery do not charge for their treatment of wildlife, there will be medication costs and the bird will need a period of care while it recovers and is rehabilitated for return to the wild and it's family.

Caring for wildlife is very costly. The cost of specialised food, medication and ongoing treatment often runs into thousands of pounds.

A GoFundMe appeal has been started by Wild-Woodbury in order to care for the swans and other injured animals like these.