Fearing for Birds' Lives, Emergency Callers Sound False Alarm
The Rescue Service has asked that people think twice before making emergency calls, after well-meaning citizens in recent days repeatedly sought to help waterfowl who they mistakenly thought had gotten stuck in ice.
The birds are in fact quite capable, the agency said in statement, asking citizens to make sure a bird is actually in trouble before calling out rescuers.
In one instance, a person called in, having allegedly seen a swan get stuck in a frozen lake in the town of Põlva. But when the rescue team arrived and approached the bird, it flew away. In wintertime, swans often remain motionless for long periods to preserve warmth, the agency said.
Ingrid Teesalu