The Environment Agency (EA) was called after residents found oil in a pond near the River Trent in Radcliffe-on-Trent on Saturday.
The EA said officers believed approximately 10 litres of oil was spilled from a container into the pond.
The birds were collected into the care of Linjoy Wildlife Sanctuary and Rescue, a charity that rescues and cares for birds, particularly waterfowl and pigeons and also rescues mammals such as foxes, badgers, squirrels and rabbits.
A spokesperson for Linjoy said:
‘A few days ago we were called about some swans covered in oil in Radcliffe on Trent after someone decided to pour oil into a pond.
‘Containers were evident on the water. Luckily the bird life there is minimal but the resident swans ended up covered in it!
‘Simon and Karen who live nearby, went over with some locals and managed to get hold of both of the swans.
‘We then collected them from Simon in the evening.
‘They were covered in it, especially their heads, necks and underside. They were bathed and a significant amount of it was removed.
‘They will have to have at least another bath or two to ensure it’s removed from their underfeathers so that they will be waterproof.
‘On intake they were tube-fed activated charcoal to absorb any oil or toxins ingested but they luckily seem happy and are eating well.
‘The environment agency will clean up the oil then once they are oil free and waterproof, they can go home.
‘Why the hell someone would do this is beyond me. With the added issue of avian influenza, our job is hard enough as it is without having to deal with deliberate against wildlife.’
