Lev the lost swan goes home to its flock for Christmas

The lost whooper swan chose the wrong place in the Altai Mountains for winter after losing its flock. 

Finskoye Lake in Kosh-Agach is famed for its thick ice and severe winters. 

The lone swan tried to settle but with temperatures at minus 40C this was never going to be comfortable.

Worse, the local dogs kept trying to chase the stray bird.

Local firefighters took pity on the swan, which they named Lev (Lion in Russian) in recognition of the animal’s fierce appetite, strong wings, and desire to escape humans and fly away. 

The firemen passed their unusual fosterling to rangers at Saylyugem Nature Reserve who in turn handed on the lost bird to their colleagues at Lebediniy (literally Swan) Nature Reserve.

Local firefighters took pity on the swan, which they named Lev (Lion in Russian) in recognition of the animal’s fierce appetite, strong wings, and desire to escape humans and fly away. Picture: Saylyugem Nature Reserve

Here the swan will join up with its flock which wisely chose to winter at the unusual and scenic Svetloe Lake. 

Fed by warm springs, it stays unfrozen for the winter despite the harsh Siberian temperatures. 

The water remains at a mild 6C even when the air reaches minus 40C.

Some 350 swans are currently at the lake, which has risen in popularity for whoopers since 1967 when the first 15 suddenly arrived. 

Real-life Swan Lake in the Altai region. Pictures: Alexei Ebel

Lev is expected to be released today after the bird’s Altai Mountain odyssey. 

The lake is popular with photographers for remarkable scenes of the wintering swans. 

Lev the swan is expected to be released today. Pictures below: Saylyugem Nature Reserve