SHOCKED police and volunteers at Vale Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre have issued a plea for information after a female swan was shot in the head in a ‘despicable’ attack.
The callous incident took place between 5pm last Wednesday (May 3) and 10pm on Thursday (May 4) at Pershore’s Avon Meadows Community Wetland.
Officers have been in contact with Nest Watch who found and reported details of the injured swan to police.
Hospital volunteers found the bird covered in blood and with a head injury and issued a plea on Facebook for the use of boat to reach the stricken swan on the water.
A horrified resident met a care assistant at the lake with a canoe and a couple more volunteers arrived to assist with the rescue.
“Once rescued it was clear she was in a bad way. She had a wound which went straight through her head which is consistent with being shot,” a hospital spokesperson said.
“There is no bullet or pellet so we have no evidence other than speculation based on the physical appearance of the wound.”
After being taken to hospital, she was given pain relief, anti inflammatories and antibiotics and was given time in an inside unit to recover.
Now in a stable condition, the swan has been moved outside onto a pool where she will continue her rehabilitation.
“Her wounds have healed well but she is not out of the woods yet,” the hospital added.
“She has suffered quite an ordeal and is continuing to show signs of head trauma so is being monitored very closely.”
The hospital has thanked all who came to their assistance to allow them to carry out an ‘efficient’ rescue of the ailing creature.
Meanwhile police have said they are ‘keeping an open mind’ on reports two swans were killed and eggs had been disturbed or taken.
“Following enquiries we do not have any evidence to suggest that was the case,” the force said.
“From the evidence found it appears the eggs may have hatched. If anyone has any evidence to the contrary, we would ask they contact police.
The incident has been submitted as a crime under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, protection of wild birds.
PC Amy Hunt from Pershore Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “Our team will continue to work with volunteers from Nest Watch and Wychavon District Council wildlife sites officer to monitor the local wild bird population for signs of any further cruelty offences.
“This was a despicable thing to do to an animal, we take incidents like this extremely seriously and will seek to prosecute the individual or individuals responsible if they can be identified.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Hunt on 07971 395014 or e-mail [email protected] or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
