Wales Canal Swan Attacks Leave Birds Dead Over Three Years

A series of shocking attacks on swans and other birds along the Neath Canal in Wales has left several dead and injured over the past three to four years. Police and animal welfare groups are investigating the brutal incidents that have devastated local wildlife populations. 🦢💔

The attacks, concentrated around the Giant’s Grave area of the Neath Canal and Axis Court Pond in Swansea Vale, have involved various weapons including air rifles, slingshots, bricks and sticks. Swan Rescue Wales volunteer Vanessa Price has witnessed the devastating aftermath firsthand.

The violence began in October 2021 when a young cygnet was killed after a brick was thrown from a bridge, breaking its back and causing it to drown. Since then, the attacks have escalated in both frequency and brutality.

“We’ve had a slingshot ball bearing, two air rifle pellets, a brick on a cygnet, one of them had a stone thrown on the wing and then we had a male battered to death with two sticks,” said Vanessa Price from Swan Rescue Wales.

One particularly harrowing incident in May 2023 saw a female swan shot through the head with an air rifle, with seven eggs stolen just two weeks before hatching. Her mate was also attacked but survived.

The most recent attack between 31 May and 1 June this year involved a male swan being battered to death with two sticks whilst his female partner was also assaulted. During rescue efforts, volunteers discovered she had been shot with a pellet lodged in her hyoid bone and had a piece of wood with a hook embedded under her chin.

“It’s heartbreaking because you get to know these swans,” Price explained. “They’ve got quirky little characters and you get recognise them by their characters, they know you because they see you on a regular basis, and it’s really heartbreaking to discover an animal has just been murdered or abused in some way.”

Swan Rescue Wales has received 190 calls this year alone, with 10% relating to violent attacks on swans. The group has also been called to incidents in Somerset, Llandrindod Wells and Penmaenmawr.

An RSPCA spokesperson condemned the attacks: “These incidents are shocking – and sadly they appear to be acts of intentional cruelty. It is always very distressing to think that people may be taking pleasure in targeting defenceless animals.”

The charity reminded the public that all wild birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, with maximum penalties of six months imprisonment and unlimited fines for offences.

South Wales Police confirmed they are investigating multiple incidents across the Neath Canal area but have yet to identify any suspects. They stated: “We want 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.”

Anyone with information should contact the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018 or South Wales Police on 101.