A black swan found with an arrow through its neck on the Avon River in Christchurch has been successfully released back into the wild following lifesaving surgery and weeks of recovery.

The swan, named Benny, was first reported on Chris Lynch Media after he was seen near the Christchurch rowing clubs with the arrow lodged in his neck.

Danette Wereta, General Secretary of the Animal Justice Party and an experienced wildlife rescuer, coordinated the search with Lil Quaks Refuge and local volunteers.

“It’s quite a mission,” Wereta said at the time. “People had to leave work and cancel plans. It takes hours to search the river and plan a safe capture.”

Members of the local rowing club also joined in, helping to shepherd Benny toward the shore.

He was eventually captured by Lil Quaks Refuge and Jess, a trained bird rescuer and Animal Justice Party volunteer, before being rushed to the South Island Wildlife Hospital.

Veterinary staff confirmed the arrow had pierced Benny’s windpipe and was partially blocking his airway. He was forced to breathe around the obstruction to survive.

Surgeons carried out a delicate operation to remove the arrow and repair surrounding soft tissue.

“Seeing this individual returned to the wild is a brilliant outcome for everyone from capture to care to release,” a wildlife spokesperson said.

Animal advocates say the incident has brought renewed attention to cruelty against native wildlife. Both Lil Quaks Refuge and the South Island Wildlife Hospital continue to ask for donations to support their work.