A conservation personnel swiftly intervened to rescue a swan attacked by a fox in China.

Video filmed in Manas County in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region on January 9 shows a group of swans suddenly being scattered as a fox darted into the flock and captured one of them.

The fox clamped its jaws tightly around the swan's right leg, attempting to drag it towards nearby bushes. Despite the swan's vigorous struggle, the fox's strength proved overwhelming, and it remained trapped.

In a desperate attempt to fend off the fox, the swan pecked back, prompting the fox to release its grip and lunge for the swan's neck, once again bringing it down.

As the situation became critical, patrolling conservation personnel arrived promptly, guided by aerial surveillance, and chased the fox away. Subsequently, the injured swan was transported to a rescue station for treatment.

Fortunately, due to the timely arrival of the conservation personnel, the swan managed to escape the clutches of the fox.

Liu Yongjun, the head of the conservation team at Manas National Wetland Park, stated, "The fox had already consumed the flesh on the right thigh of the large swan. We promptly assisted by transporting it to the rescue station. After a comprehensive examination, we will administer medication and, once it regains strength, release it back into the wild."

Manas National Wetland Park, situated along the third route of the global bird migration, hosts a large number of swans during the winter months. Conservation personnel speculate that the recent heavy snowfall, increased snow accumulation, and frozen lake surface may have posed difficulties for foxes to find food, leading to the unusual predation on swans.

Liu further commented, "Foxes primarily feed on field mice, but in situations where winter foraging becomes challenging, they may resort to hunting larger birds such as swans. In the future, we will intensify our patrols and conservation efforts to ensure a safe habitat for these swans and other migratory birds."

The video was provided by local media with permission.

1月9号下午，新疆玛纳斯国家湿地公园管护人员在巡护过程中，发现了一只捕食天鹅的狐狸。这一惊险过程被正在这里采访的记者全程拍摄下来，，所幸由于管护人员及时赶到，这只天鹅得以“狐”口脱险。
在记者的航拍镜头中，这群原本在冰面上栖息的天鹅突然四散逃开 ，一只冲进天鹅群的狐狸捕捉到其中一只，将它的右腿死死咬住并试图向旁边的草丛拖拽。天鹅奋力挣脱，但由于狐狸力气太大，无法脱困。在天鹅反啄过程中，狐狸又松口扑向它的颈部，再次将它扑倒。危急关头，正在巡查的巡护人员根据航拍定位及时赶到进行驱赶，狐狸丢下天鹅仓皇而逃。随后，管护人员将这只受伤的天鹅带到救助站进行救治。
玛纳斯国家湿地公园管理局管护队队长刘永军说：“狐狸已经把大天鹅右面大腿上的肉啃食掉了，我们送到救助站及时进行救助。后期我们将对这只大天鹅进行全面的一次体检，体检完以后给它上药，上药完待它恢复体力之后，放归自然。”
玛纳斯国家湿地公园地处世界候鸟迁徙三号线，每年冬季都有大批天鹅在这里越冬。管护人员分析，这次狐狸捕食天鹅，与近期当地降雪较大、积雪增厚、湖面结冰，给狐狸觅食造成困难有关。

玛纳斯国家湿地公园管理局管护队队长刘永军说：“狐狸，其实主要的食物是田鼠，在冬季取食困难的情况下，它也会猎捕上大天鹅这些候鸟，后期我们将加大巡护管护力度，确保这些大天鹅等候鸟有一个安全的栖息环境。”