Skip to content

'Violent attacks' on swans spark police probe

Elin Alexander
BBC News
James Yeomans A close up head shot of a swan in the water. James Yeomans
One swan was found with a pellet lodged near its tongue, while another had been hit by a brick

An investigation has been launched into a series of "violent attacks" across south Wales which have led to multiple swan deaths.

South Wales Police said officers had been responding to "several incidents" involving swans along the Neath canal over the past three to four years, in various locations from Briton Ferry to Neath.

While no suspects have been identified yet, the force said there was "nothing to suggest it's the same person responsible" for all of the deaths.

Volunteers from the Swan Rescue South Wales said they were "devastated" by the attacks.

They said one bird appeared to have been shot in the head by an air rifle, while another had a brick dropped on it.

Warning: There are images in this story that some readers may find distressing

Officers say they are responding to incidents along the Neath canal from Briton Ferry to Neath

The small animal welfare group - which offers "sticking plaster" support for what it believes has become a growing problem, by rescuing and re-releasing as many of the injured animals as possible - said it was aware of at least five swan deaths in the area.

Volunteers said one swan was found, believed to have been beaten to death, while another appeared to have been shot after a pellet was found lodged near its tongue.

The group said it had received about 190 calls this year, with about 10% related to "violent attacks" on swans.

As well as within its own patch, the volunteers have also been receiving calls from Somerset, Llandrindod Wells in Powys and even Penmaenmawr in Conwy county.

Peter, Swan Rescue A white swan lying on the ground with a pellet in its neck. Peter, Swan Rescue
South Wales Police said no suspects have been identified yet, but there is no suggestion all the attacks were by the same person

Vanessa Price, a volunteer from the group, said they had seen a brick dropped onto a young cygnet, breaking its back and causing it to drown.

"A female swan was also shot through the head with an air rifle and seven of her eggs stolen, which were two weeks away from hatching," she added.

"There have been dead ducks, and moorhens found. Lots of pigeons have been shot too.

"It's been awful."

She said police had been patrolling the area since the investigation was launched, but added it was mainly the volunteers who kept the birds safe.

"We can't be there 24/7 and neither can the police because they have other cases to deal with," she said.

South Wales Police added it wanted to "remind the public that it is an offence to injure or kill a swan and we will prosecute if we find that someone has".