Swans targeted by catapults, Berkshire sanctuary says

The rescue centre cares for sick and injured swans in the Thames Valley and surrounding areas

A charity has warned of a series of violent attacks on swans.

Swan Support in Datchet, Berkshire, said it had been receiving a "worrying number" of calls from the RSPCA and police about the birds being injured.

It said swans in the area were being hit by catapults and air rifles - with four attacks recorded in December alone.

The rescue centre said the attacks had become more frequent in the past two years.

The most recent report came on 23 December, when the team was alerted to a swan that had allegedly been shot at Staines-upon-Thames in Surrey.

Upon arrival, they found four more swans that had sustained injuries from a catapult or air rifle.

Joanne De Nobriga, who volunteers with Swan Support, believed younger people were responsible for the attacks.

"I think it's a rise in youngsters who are bored - they get hold of air rifles and they think it's fun," she said.

"I just don't understand it."

The charity is open 24/7 and frequently has swans requiring medical attention during the night

Ms De Nobriga said she had experienced reports of "whole families of swans" being shot.

Some die, while others have to undergo surgery to remove the pellets.

She said: "Sometimes they're left with disfigurements or injuries that mean they need to go into a sanctuary because they won't survive in the wild."

The charity campaigns for harder punishments to deter wildlife crime and regularly trains emergency services in the catching and handling of swans.

Ms De Nobriga said there was still more work to be done in order to protect the species.

She said: "I know the police are extremely stretched and sometimes wildlife doesn't come up as a priority."

But she added that there needed to be "more focus" on wildlife crime, with forces following up on reports more frequently.

The BBC has contacted Thames Valley Police for comment.

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