As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Friday, 15 September 2017

Hunt for thugs after family of swans shot dead


Sick thugs shot and killed three swans on the Grand Union Canal in Slough.

Two of the birds, a male and his cygnet, were from the same family – while the third was a young male.

A fourth bird, the cygnet’s mother, was also shot and is currently with vets who are trying to save her life in intensive care.

Berkshire-based charity Swan Lifeline took to Facebook to share the sad news. They said: ‘We are desperately sad and angered that this afternoon a family of swans have been shot on The Grand Union canal in Slough.

‘This has been enormously distressing for our staff, rescuers and all involved.

 ‘This has been a truly horrid day, we are sorry if the photographs are upsetting but we feel the need to publicise this as much as possible.’

The charity, from Eton, said that police had been told and added: ‘Tell the call handler that you are reporting a wildlife crime and you will be put through to the correct person.

 ‘It is vital that reports are kept under the same reference number as Swan Lifeline have the evidence of the two swans that died as a result of this dreadful incident.

‘Thank you to everyone for your support and let’s hope that someone out there has information that will help catch the perpetrators of this appalling crime.’

Swan Support, from Datchet, Berkshire, found the fourth swan on the same day.

They wrote: ‘It is with sadness that we have to report that today we picked up a swan from the canal in Slough Langley that had been shot.

‘The bird was already dead when we arrived. This is not the first time we have been called to attend incidents such as this in this particular location.’

If you have any information contact Thames Valley Police on 101 and use crime reference number 43170257314.

No comments:

Post a Comment