The Swan Sanctuary
United Kingdom
| Animals/Wildlife
More information
Dorothy Beeson is The Swan Sanctuary's founder and recipient of the British Empire Medal for her unstinting work in swan welfare which started in her back garden in the early 1980s. Over the years Dot's work outgrew her garden so she sold her house to help finance the cost of setting up the first national sanctuary on a 2-acre site in Egham, Surrey where she lived in a caravan with her partner, Steve. The Swan Sanctuary is on 24-hour alert, 365 days a year. When a 'swan in distress' call comes in the local rescue squad is on its way within minutes. At the scene the rescuers assess the situation and provide 'front-line' emergency treatment. More seriously injured birds are then rushed to the sanctuary for intensive care.
