Two important considerations. First, make sure that you use towels, something soft with give on the bottom of the animal carrier. If he slides around, he will damage his legs which can result in irreparable damage. Secondly, you need to build a pen (1/2 on water and 1/2 on land with a feeder inside). The pen needs to be enclosed top and bottom so predators cannot enter. The swan needs to learn his boundaries and needs to stay in the pen and get accustomed to you, his feeder and surrounding habitat for about 2 weeks. If you place him directly on the pond, he may start to wander to go back home since he does not know you or his other animal neighbors. This may increase the stress on the bird and even result in sickness or death. Good luck. The Regal Swan