Mute Swans shot in Yorkshire

A female Mute Swan has been shot and killed in South Yorkshire, with its partner injured.

The injured male swan was reported to the Yorkshire Swan and Wildlife Rescue Hospital in Skellow in South Yorkshire on 11 March. A search further downstream along Old Ea Beck turned up the dead body of the female of the established pair.

X-rays revealed the bird had died after at least four gunshots in the neck and abdomen, but the male had survived at least five shots.

The female Mute Swan died after being shot at least four times (Yorkshire Swan and Wildlife Rescue Hospital).

The pair, both bearing British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) rings, was known locally and had been seen together the previous day. Yorkshire Swan and Wildlife Rescue Hospital said the birds had suffered "a premeditated, deliberate and brutal act of animal cruelty".

Yorkshire Swan and Wildlife Rescue are rehabilitating the male swan (Yorkshire Swan and Wildlife Rescue Hospital).

The hospital said that the surviving swan "is responding very well to veterinary treatment" and that they are "now confident the animal will make a full recovery".

South Yorkshire Police is appealing for any information relating to the incident.