A sad swan has been crossing a road every day to stare at her reflection in the windows of a school following the death of her soulmate.
The solitary swan, named Sally, is thought to be in mourning after the tragic death of her partner, Harry, who passed away in 2022.
Her poignant daily ritual has captured students’ hearts at Telford Park School in Stirchley, Shropshire.
She is a regular visitor and is often spotted waddling across the zebra crossing on Grange Avenue to reach the school. Sally often gazes at her own reflection in the classroom windows.
Residents living nearby said Sally and Harry used to be seen in Mad Brooke pool, across from the school.
“Sally goes to the school every day. She and Harry were very close, but when he died she went into mourning,” one resident said. “It’s gut-wrenching to think of her torment, but obviously looking at her reflection is giving her some comfort while she grieves for Harry.
![‘These Animals Chose Me’: Swans Befriend Florida Man, Nest in His Yard, Bring Their Babies Into His House [VIDEO]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.theepochtimes.com%2Fassets%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F08%2F02%2Fid5438996-et-web-swan-CJ-Webber-300x180.jpg&w=1200&q=75)
“Sally’s a well-known face around here, and everyone at the school loves her.”
School leaders said they had made efforts to have Sally collected by a sanctuary, but they haven’t had any success.
“It has been coming for about a year now,” a spokesperson at the school said. “It is a female, and we have spoken to the RSPB and Wildlife Trust, but they said there is not much they can do to help.”
The school has been instructed to not approach or feed Sally.
“It is heartbreaking. She comes every day and spends all day staring at herself at the reflective band along the bottom of the school building,“ the spokesperson said. ”She does go back to the pond every night, but each morning she comes back.”
Experts said birds often display “grieving” behavior when they suffer a loss.
“Swans do form monogamous pairs and generally remain together for life,“ an RSPB spokesperson said. ”Should one die, ‘grieving' behavior is often observed so this is normal and to be expected.”
It’s believed Sally might leave and join other swans and gradually pair up with a new partner, although it’s also possible she may end up living alone forever.
The RSPB spokesperson took the opportunity to remind others to avoid direct contact and not to feed waterfowl due to the current avian flu outbreak.
