Swan hit by arrow makes full recovery

A swan that was shot with an arrow near a Riverhead park in July has made a full recovery, and is to be released back into the wild Tuesday, the Suffolk County SPCA said Monday.

"It really is a miracle," said Roy Gross, Suffolk SPCA chief.

"It was totally impaled. It was sticking out of both sides of her."

The wounded swan was found near Indian Island County Park on July 21, and was taken for treatment to the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center in Hampton Bays.

"They did a great job at the wildlife center," Gross said.

Gross said the swan would be released in the general area where it was found, at the Indian Island Golf Course, part of the park, near County Road 105 in Riverhead at 11 a.m., with Suffolk SPCA and wildlife officials in attendance.

"We'd really like to apprehend the person or persons responsible for this act of animal cruelty," Gross said.

His organization is still offering a reward of $14,750 for any arrests and conviction related to attack on the swan, Gross said.

The Suffolk SPCA can be reached at 631-382-7722.