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Carroll swans making strides in recovery.A pair of swans are currently recovering from their injuries following a hail storm at Swan Lake State Park.On Wednesday, April 15, the park’s resident swans, known as Amelia and Arnold, sustained injuries after they were hit by hail, according to a Facebook from Iowa Bird Rehabilitation.Geoff Perkins, a park technician for Carroll County Conservation, said he was out-of-town alongside a co-worker when the storm hit the park.Hearing the news, Perkins said they both headed back.“When we got back to Swan Lake, we pulled up, and I just happened to look over at our shop and saw a robin flopping around on the ground, and it kind of hit me,” Perkins said.“I was like, ‘Oh no, what about the swans?’” Heading over to the swan pen, Perkins said he could immediately tell something was wrong — one of the swans had blood on its head.“We could just tell that it was not in good shape,” Perkins said.Looking at the pond, the employees found the other swan, which also had blood on its head.Immediately, Perkins contacted Cassie Wendl of S.O.A.R.(Saving Our Avian Resources), who often works with Iowa Bird Rehabilitation.“She immediately dropped what she was doing and headed up to Swan Lake to help us,” Perkins said.Although Vanessa Hinners, a naturalist for Carroll County Conservation, already left for the day, she returned to Swan Lake State Park when the storm took over.When she arrived, Hinners helped check on the other creatures, including the resident eagles and other wildlife animals.Hinners said the swans have a natural shelter where they would normally reside in a habitat.“I think it just happened so suddenly that it kind of surprised them,” Hinners said.Once Wendl placed the swans inside of crates and put them in her car, she stabilized them, according to the social media post.The next day, she transported the swans to Iowa Bird Rehabilitation for emergency treatment.“After examination, we discovered the extent of their injuries was severe,” the Facebook post read.“One swan had a badly shattered wing, while the other had suffered significant trauma to both eyes.At first, we honestly weren’t sure either of them would survive.” Nevertheless, the swans continue to recover together.“What made their recovery even more remarkable is the bond they share,” the post reads.“These two swans have been companions at Swan Lake for the past five years, and we truly believe having each other nearby has played an important role in their healing journey.” During the first several weeks, the post stated Arnold was completely blind.However, some of his vision has returned.“While his eyesight may never fully recover, we are hopeful he will continue to adapt successfully, especially with the familiarity of his home and the comfort of his lifelong partner beside him,” the post reads.Because of the severity of her injury, Amelia underwent a partial wing amputation.For Perkins, having the opportunity to help out wildlife animals is one of the main reasons he works in conversation.“As much as I love the native habitat and planting native plants and removing invasive species, it’s all about the animals that benefit from that habitat,” Perkins said.Staying in contact with Iowa Bird Rehabilitation, Hinners said she’s looking forward to the swans returning home.“I’m pretty excited,” Hinners said.“I’ve been the one talking with the rehab center that has them currently over in Des Moines, and it sounds like hopefully, within the next month they will be back.It’s just kind of figuring out timing and making sure physically that they all look good.” Once Amelia and Arnold return to Swan Lake State Park, Hinners said she’ll make an announcement through Carroll County Conservation’s Facebook page.