Sorry to hear about the second cygnet. Because the cygnet is so young, you cannot release it until it is approximately 8-10 months of age. By that time, it will be more comfortable around people and you cannot teach it to escape predation or basically, how to be a wild swan.

You cannot return it to the parents once it remains away from them, especially after several days. The parents will either abandon the cygnet or continually chase it resulting in drowning, starvation or stress. So, it will need to be pinioned so that it cannot escape the safety of a captive setting and the care of humans that it will not only need for several months, but for the rest of its life. Should the cygnet live and reach the 8-10 month mark and you can't find a good home for it, please contact us and we'll get it to a safe home. The Regal Swan.