The success of the cygnet being reintroduced after this extended time away from its parents is doubtful. The best way to reintroduce and try to find a better outcome, is to place the cygnet in a pen (1/2 in water and 1/2 on land with a feeder inside). The pen should be completely enclosed so that no predators can get to the cygnet by digging under or crawling into the pen. Observe the cygnet's interaction between the parents and the other cygnets. If there is any sign of aggression, then the answer is that the cygnet will never be accepted.

If there is more curiosity and the parents try to get to the cygnet and hang around the pen, then wait about a week and release the cygnet onto the pond. KEEP a boat nearby for an immediate rescue in the event the parents try to drown or harm the cygnet. If the cygnet stays on the pond for a week with the parents and the other cygnets (outside the pen) and no aggression observed, and the cygnet is allowed to feed, bathe and preen with the family, then the chances for its survival increases.

If there is aggession, you will need to find the young bird another home and still repeat the process introducing the cygnet to its new habitat using a pen to ensure that the bird learns how to get its food and understand that the new habitat is indeed its new home. No matter what the outcome, the young bird needs to be assimilated with other young swans or birds such as geese or ducks to understand that it is a swan and not imprint on humans. Once imprinting takes place, the swan will go up to any human, dog, cat or other predator because it will be too trusting. The end result will definitely not be good. Imprinting will cause the bird to be raised in a captive setting for the rest of its life.

If a suitable home cannot be found, you might try a wildlife rehabilitation center, waterfowl facility or other such entity that the young bird can live its life safely. Please let us know how this progresses. The Regal Swan