A DUCK who made a ‘miracle’ recovery after being shot through the neck by a crossbow bolt has been released back into the wild.

Usain the mallard was struck at the Radipole Lake site in Weymouth a couple of weeks ago. He was rescued by swan herd Derek Davey and Frances Ponting from Weymouth Wildlife Rescue.

He was in a bad way as the bolt through his neck had become infected and he couldn’t swallow food properly.

They took Usain to Piddle Valley Veterinary Centre where vet David Holah operated on him to get the bolt out of his neck.

David said: “The bolt went straight through from one side to the other and managed to get between the wind pipe and the oesophagus. How it did that without hitting a major blood vessel or those structures I don’t know. It was a mighty relief to find that.”

He added: “You could see where the bolt was pushing the oesophagus closed. He would have struggled to feed and take in meaningful nutrition.”

Mr Holah managed to get the bolt out and clean the wound.

He said: “I’m delighted to see Usain able to be released.”

He blasted those who had shot Usain, adding: “It still worries me that there has been someone wandering around here with a crossbow prepared to take pot shots at animals.”

The team met up at Radipole Lake close to The Gurkha restaurant on Sunday morning to release Usain back into the wild.

Dozens of Swans and ducks gathered around, eager to see if they would be fed.

As soon as Mr Holah had done the final checks on Usain he was released and happily waddled down to the shoreline, before diving in and taking a little drink.

Swan herd Derek Davey said: “It’s wonderful to see him released and healthy. How people could shoot an animal is beyond me- it’s horrendous.”

He added: “It’s not the first time it’s happened.”

Frances Ponting from Weymouth Wildlife Rescue said they believed Usain was at least eight years old, as he had been ringed at Radipole Lake in 2007. Ducks can live to 20 years old.

She said it was great to see him back to full health and being released. She said: “It’s the best part of the job.”

The RSPCA is investigating the matter and anyone with information about the incident should call Inspector John Pollock on 0300 1234 999.