Swan rescued after being shot twice in head

The animal was saved by Yorkshire Swan Rescue volunteers after it was found “bloodied and in pain” and flapping frantically in the River Ouse, at Cawood.

The bird was rushed to an animal hospital, where x-rays showed it had been shot twice in the head and face by an air rifle.

Dan Sidley, of the Yorkshire Swan Rescue Hospital – which has offered a £500 reward for information leading to a successful prosecution – said volunteers were horrified by the extent of the swan’s injuries.

He said: “Why anybody would want to harm such a beautiful creature is beyond our comprehension.

“It is without doubt one of the worse cases we have seen this year.

“We work so desperately hard to save the lives of these birds, and find it hard to comprehend why anyone would want to inflict such horrific suffering and cruelty to an endangered species. It’s just absolutely shocking.”

He said it was likely the injuries were caused by youths who were spotted with a gun near to where the swan was shot.

Mr Sidley said: “It is just a wonder the swan survived with its injuries. It was in a very, very bad way.

“The only word to sum up the type of people who could carry out such an act is barbaric. They have to be stopped.”

The swan is being treated at the charity’s base in Brandsby, near Easingwold, and it is hoped it will be fit enough to return to the wild soon.

“The swan underwent an operation yesterday and we are hoping for the best,” said Mr Sidley. “We rescue more than 30,000 swans a year and more than 90 per cent of them are released back into the wild so we do have a high success rate. However, this one is in a bad way. We just have to give it the best possible treatment and hope that it gets better.”

“Harming or disturbing a swan is illegal, and we hope a prosecution is brought against the people who carried out this terrible act,” said Mr Sidley.

Anybody with any information is asked to phone Yorkshire Swan Rescue Hospital on 07763424892.