Dove ‘recovering well’ in Luton after being rescued from canal following release at wedding
A dove that was rescued from a canal after it was used as part of a wedding release is ‘recovering well’, according to a Luton wildlife group which is looking after it.
The white dove was rescued from a canal near Milton Keynes by Milton Keynes Swan Rescue.
As the charity does not have the facilities to take pigeons and doves into long-term care, it transferred the dove to Luton Wildlife Rescue, a non-profit organisation with rescue space, which helps to rehabilitate wildlife.
Nickie Pearson, who runs Luton Wildlife Rescue, told the Luton News: “The dove is recovering well considering she was dehydrated and starving. She will now live her life with me safe and loved.”
Allie Humphries, a director at Milton Keynes Swan Rescue said: "Nickie runs Luton Wildlife Rescue pretty much single handedly and self funded so any help we can get her the better.
"She’s amazingly knowledgeable and dedicated, definitely our preferred rehabber and a wealth of support and information.
“We are delighted the dove is recovering well, and that’s why it was well worth the drive to Luton to make sure it was given the very best chance of a happy life and the care it deserves.”
The charity primarily rescues waterfowl and water-associated wildlife and Allie explained: “We are not a pigeon or dove rescue, but we are a team of dedicated rescuers and animal welfare has always been at the centre of what we do.
“If an animal is suffering and we can help get it somewhere safe, we are not going to ignore that suffering simply because it happens to be a species we would not normally take into care.
“It was fortunate that this particular call came through to {one of our call handlers} who was prepared to act, organise the collection and make sure this little bird got the help it needed.”
The charity said following the incident it was asking wedding venues to reconsider the practice of allowing live bird releases during ceremonies, normally marketed as ‘dove releases’, while also encouraging couples planning weddings to choose non-animal alternatives.
“These birds are being used as part of somebody’s celebration, but once that moment is over the bird still has to survive whatever happens next,” Allie added.
“This one ended up in a canal and needed rescuing.
“The important question is not whether a release looks beautiful for a few seconds.
“It is whether every individual bird gets home safely afterwards.
“If even one bird ends up exhausted, stranded, injured or in the water, that animal has paid the price for somebody else’s entertainment.”