Eight hand-built boats, with a
combined worth of £15,000, have been destroyed by the swan so far.
July 21, 2016 15:59 BST
A destructive swan's relentless
targeting of model boats has prompted one enthusiast to beg the British Queen
for help in dealing with the dangerous bird. The mute swan is known to
patrol Needham Lake, Suffolk, attacking ducks and geese thought to be
on its stretch and smashing up eight model boats so far – some of which are worth
up to £15,000 ($20,000).
In a throwback to medieval times
– technically, the British Crown owns all unmarked mute swans – one boat owner,
who had had two of his models attacked, went so far as to write to Queen
Elizabeth II urging her to take action.
He told the East Anglian Daily
News "I wrote to the Queen telling her the swan is a menace and I
would like him to be moved on if possible... I would like to be able to boat in
peace."
Treasurer of the Gripping Valley
Model Boat Club, Cliff Galsworthy told the paper that the swan is a
"menace": "He attacked my boat nearly straight after I put
it in. I have spent about 10 full days trying to repair it. It took
about six months to build and he just smashed it to pieces."
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