Norwalk firefighters on Friday again came to the rescue of a swan that was stuck in the frozen Norwalk River. It was the second time this month and came only two days after the swan had been released back into the wild.

The fire department got a call around 9 a.m. after someone spotted the animal in the iced-over river near the Norwalk Boat Club. Crews were able to walk out because the ice was so thick. They then covered the swan's head with a blanket to calm him down.

"His feet weren't really stuck, mostly just the feathers under his belly, so we took just a flat shovel and slowly tried to get under there one feather at a time," Dep. Chief Stephen Shay explained.

It wasn't long before the swan was freed, easily scooped up by firefighters and wrapped in a towel. If he seemed comfortable, it was likely because the swan was more than familiar with his rescuers.

On Feb. 3, crews donned cold water suits and special equipment to rescue the same swan from a spot nearby after his feet were badly frozen into the ice. The animal spent over a week at Norwalk Veterinary Hospital.

"He was pretty weak when he got here and pretty thin," said Dr. Charles Duffy, of Norwalk Veterinary Hospital. "We were doing hydrotherapy for him. We had him in our tub swimming to get his strength back."

The swan recovered and on Feb. 11, Norwalk Animal Control set him free back in the same area of the river.

"He was fine when they released him. He was swimming with his mate," recalled Duffy.

That is, until the sticky situation Friday reunited him with his prior heroes and veterinarian.

"The temperatures have been pretty moderate the past couple of winters. So, as a result, these waterfowl stay around. And with this enormous amount of ice and the freezing cold weather we've had, they're not really used to dealing with that," Duffy told News 12.

"You know, they're helpless, and we're there to help them," Shay stated.

Animal rights organization PETA recently announced its Compassionate Fire Department Award will go to Norwalk because of firefighters' quick actions in the first rescue. Now, there's another reason for the honor.

"It should be a very happy ending for sure. He's healthy. He'll be fine," said Duffy.

On Friday morning, the swan was thawing out and filling up at the veterinary hospital. He'll remain there for a few days in hopes next week's warmer temperatures melt the ice, according to Duffy. If not, he'll go to a local animal sanctuary before being released back to where his mate is.

"Once we have enough open water for him, then it'll be fine—when all this ice resolves," Duffy said.