Swan’s death blamed on diesel spill

June Casagrande

A diesel fuel spill one year ago was probably the reason Pearl the

swan could not recover from an infection and died earlier this month,

animal experts have determined.

A necropsy showed that the black swan had suffered extensive liver

damage, probably from the spill in Newport Harbor that she survived

last year. The damage left her immune system too weak to recover from

an infection on her leg last month.

“We had found her on the beach. She was soaking wet, because they

lose their natural oils when they’re in a spill like that,” recalled

Gay Wassall-Kelly, who fed and cared for Pearl for a long time and

continues to tend to her mate, Rupert. “She couldn’t walk well. It

was bad.”

Pearl recovered from the spill after being treated at the Wetlands

and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach. A full year later, long

after Pearl appeared fully recovered from the fuel spill, she

received an injury to her leg, probably from a dog bite.

Pearl was admitted to the care center twice to treat the

persistent infection. She died there Oct. 1. Veterinary experts who

performed the necropsy said they found serious renal damage they

suspect was caused by the spill.

Wassall-Kelly said that since the swan’s death, there has been an

outpouring from the community, especially concern for Rupert. Black

swans mate for life, and the two had, in the past, shown grief and

distress over being separated. Following animal experts’

instructions, Wassall-Kelly brought Pearl’s body to the beach where

Rupert could see her.

“It worked,” Wassall-Kelly said. “He’s OK now. He stopped pining.

He’s back to his old self.”

Wassall-Kelly said she still awaits veterinarians’ advice about

whether she should find a new companion for Rupert.

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport.

She may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

june.casagrande@latimes.com.