Belgian authorities today (April 7) released 120 swans that have been in lockdown for more than four months due to an outbreak of bird flu.

The wild birds were taken from the canals of the picturesque city of Bruges in mid-November and transported to other parts of the country for their own safety after the virus was detected in the city of Ostend.

Authorities brought the birds back to Bruges in lorries and carefully released them on the grassy bank of a canal.

After more than four months away from home, the birds waddled immediately down to the water and jumped in, seemingly delighted to be back in the famous canals of the medieval city.

The signature swans of Brugge (Bruges, Belgium) are back in the city centre after a confinement of almost five months against bird flu. Mid November last year Brugge cleared its signature canals out of hundreds of the swans that inhabit them in order to shelter them from the avian flu. Some 120 swans were plucked out of the canals of the picturesque Flemish city and transported to protected municipal areas. The move came after an outbreak of the avian flu was detected among wild birds in the coastal city of Ostend. The city decided to pull the birds, a common tourist attraction, to keep them safe from birds who are sick. This morning, the swans were brought back to their habitat. After a confinement of more than four months. And yes, they like it!