A CO Cavan family who cared for a swan's egg after it was found by their dog last year have released the fully-grown bird back into the wild.
The family's story began last May when Declan McCabe's dog, Sam came back from a lakeside walk with a swan egg in his mouth.
Mr McCabe and his son Stephen managed to save the chick inside by borrowing an egg incubator.
Later, they successfully hatched the cygnet and nursed the young bird at their home in Mountnugent.
Since then, the bird has been having a daily swim in the bath or the pool outside, has been grazing in the grass, and has been eating lettuce and meal for protein.
Earlier this week, the swan was released back into the wild.
Mr McCabe said: "It was always our intention to put him back in the lake. The beauty is we live along the lake so it's a big advantage.
"I'm down at the lake every day, so if he’s there we’ll still be able to see him and make sure he’s ok."
