Stanley Park swan fights back after being shot

Nov 24 2007

IT IS both elegant and beautiful and a joy to the eye but it didn’t stop thugs from trying to hound it to death.

Animal rescuers recovered the swan after it was found in Liverpool’s Stanley Park lake with a crossbow bolt through its back.

But, as they fought to save its life, they were astonished to find that it was only the latest in a string of cruel injuries it had suffered.

Their X-rays revealed old pellets lodged beneath its skin from earlier attacks with an airgun and a shotgun.

Records also showed that the swan had been previously admitted to the RSPCA’s Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery in Cheshire after swallowing a fish hook.

Last night, as the swan headed towards an amazing full recovery, the charity said that its ordeals were an indication of “the rising tide of violence against wild life”.

Dr Andrew Kelly, the charity’s director at Stapeley Grange, said: “It would seem plenty of people see wildlife as an easy target.

“We see about 250 swans a year that have been shot, and from our experience, I would say it is getting worse and there seems to be very little we can do about it but put them back in the wild and hope they aren’t targeted again.

“It is a drain on our resources as it can be very expensive in some cases to treat wild animals, but because they are affected by human beings, we feel it is something we have to redress.”

The swan, which was ringed as a cygnet on August 6 2000 at Hest Bank, Lancashire, is expected to return to full health in the next few weeks and be released back to Stanley Park, where it has a female mate waiting.

Dr Kelly added: “The swan has made a fantastic recovery so far.

“He’s now able to stand and walk and we’re hoping to release him back to Stanley Park as soon as we possibly can.

“The fact this swan has suffered such a high number of attacks by airguns, shotguns and now a crossbow is indicative of the rising tide of violence against wildlife. Attacks of this kind are becoming more and more common and we’re only treating a small percentage of the many animals that are affected.

“A lot of injured animals will hide away to die painful and lingering deaths as air pellet entry wounds are especially difficult to detect by the untrained eye.

“If anyone witnesses cruelty of this kind, or expects it may be taking place, I would urge them to contact the police or the RSPCA cruelty and advice line on 0300 123 4999 immediately.”