Thatcham swan shot in the head with lead ball

Swan Support is a swan rescue centre which treats and cares for sick and injured swans within the Thames Valley and surrounding areas.

The charity’s Facebook post said it was urgently called to Thatcham on Wednesday, April 22, “to attend to a swan who was sitting on the nest with four eggs”.

It continued: “She had sadly been shot in the head.

“She is stable after our vet successfully removed the shot.”

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The charity shared pictures of the poorly swan which showed the wound on the swan’s face and an X-ray of the lead bullet.

It said “this terrible incident has split up a pair and destroyed a family”.

Wendy Hermon, of Swan Support, said: "She was sat on a nest and they shot her in the head.

"We got a call to say she had blood all over its head.

"We went to pick her up and she had an operation on Thursday to remove an 8mm ball fired from an air weapon.

"She's very subdued but she's okay and will hopefully make a full recovery.

"I think it's sick, sick people who have nothing else better to do.

"How can someone shoot a defenceless swan sat on a nest?"

The Queen's swan marker has been notified following the horrific incident - describing it as "mindless cruelty".

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The Queen has the right to own any unmarked swan in open waters, although this right is usually only exercised on certain stretches of the Thames.

David Barber MVO, the monarch's Swan Marker, said: "I am shocked and disgusted to learn of the shooting of a female swan who was sitting on a nest of four eggs.

"At the present time the swan is still alive but this is a life threatening injury and we do not know whether she will survive.

"This type of mindless cruelty is totally unacceptable and unnecessary and I sincerely hope the perpetrator of this abhorrent act will be pursued and punished accordingly.

"I hope that anyone with knowledge or information about this crime will report it to Thames Valley Police."

Swan Support’s Facebook page added that five swans in total have been shot in the last 10 days within the areas they cover.

It added one has sadly died and four are recovering at Swan Support.

Thames Valley Police confirmed the latest attack and that the lead ball had been removed by a vet and said, “the swan is recovering”.

The force added: “If anyone has information about the incident, we would ask them to report it online (https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/) using the reference 43200122152.

“If they don’t have access to the online service, please call 101.”