Are you sure he does not have fishing line entangled around the leg or if he might have been shot? In New Jersey, the NJDNR is trying to kill as many Mute Swans as possible under the guise of checking for various illnesses, many of which the Mute Swans would be the least species to check. Additionally, the swans could be checked without killing them, but another misrepresentation by state wildlife officials.

A sprain or other software tissue injury could be the problem, but he needs to be checked by a licensed veterinarian that will not kill him under NJ state wildlife laws which prevents wildlife rehabbers and veterinarians from treating Mute Swans. You need to coral him into an area which he cannot fly or escape using a large net and gently holding him so the leg or other injury is not made worse. Please let us know how this situation lrogresses. The Regal Swan