Swan on mend after rescue from Cassadaga Lakes
By JOAN JOSEPHSON OBSERVER Staff Writer

OBSERVER Photo by Joan JosephsonChautauqua County Humane Society Investigator Ted Blanchard holds “Buddy,” a swan he helped rescue from Cassadaga Lakes.

8/7/2006 - CASSADAGA — Chautauqua County Humane Society Investigator Ted Blanchard’s contacts are generally with domestic animals.This, however, was not the case with a swan seen on Cassadaga Lakes with a large growth near its eye.“It was about the size of a baseball and was obviously affecting the bird,” said Carol Mead, owner of Lakes End Marina on lower Cassadaga Lakes.After several tries to get the swan help, Blanchard was contacted and responded by climbing aboard Mead’s patio boat and going after the bird with a musky net.“It was storming when we had him cornered near the shoreline and Ted jumped into the lake and netted him,” Mead said.The full-size bird was transported to the Jamestown Animal Clinic where veterinarian Dr. William Seleen Jr. removed the growth.The swan, nicknamed Buddy, was full of spunk when Blanchard brought it back to Cassadaga Lakes to set it loose.Buddy tried several times to bite its rescuer as it was removed from the cage.“I’ve been involved in rescuing any number of animals and birds, but this is the first time for a swan,” Blanchard said as he released Buddy into the water.He also noted that as yet, he hasn’t had occasion to deal with a bear.But, given the appearance of this animal in the local area, it may be just a matter of time before he can add one to his list of rescues

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