Southampton: Swan 'widowed' after mate shot bonds with rescuee

A male swan left companionless after his nesting mate was shot dead a week ago has bonded with a fellow rescuee.

The swan was found with a single shot to her neck on the waterside off Weston Parade, Netley Abbey, near Southampton.

The swan's five eggs, which will not hatch, and her mate were taken in on 23 April by charity Swan Support.

The charity said he was "doing well all things considered ... enjoying the company of others and has taken a shine to one of the ladies in our care."

The charity said after collecting the shot swan from the tide pool it sought permission to take the male and the eggs into care.

"Despite it being his home, his safety was paramount and our fear was that he could too be targeted," the charity said.

A fundraising page has been set up by a resident to raise a reward of £2,000 for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for shooting the swan and to support the male swan's care at the charity.

To date it has raised just over £1,300.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said is was investigating and urged witnesses and anyone with information to come forward.

The force said in the report made it was stated the swan's death "was caused by an air rifle".

The charity, based in Datchet, Berkshire, said: "The local community, like us, are both angry and heartbroken and want to see this properly investigated, the offender caught and justice served."

It said volunteers had attended more than 20 separate incidents since the end of last year with no arrests made.

Posting on its Facebook page, the charity said it had written "again to MPs and the Police Crime Commissioners in the areas we attend asking for more to be done".

"At times we feel like giving up and these types of rescues go beyond what any of us as volunteers should have to see," it said.

"But we must continue for the sake of all the others and hope that one day in the very near future something changes."

The centre's staff informed David Barber the King's Swan Marker of the nesting swan's death after finding she had been shot in the neck.

All wild birds, including swans, are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Intentionally killing or injuring a swan is a criminal offence punishable with up to six months in jail and an unlimited fine.

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