Kirklees Valley nature reserve wildlife horror: swan and ducks shot dead in sickening air rifle attack
Several water birds were killed at beauty spot after being shot multiple times with an air rifle.
A wildlife rescue team were called to Island Lodge in Tottington at the weekend after a male swan and mallard ducks were targeted.
The incident happened at the lodge area in the Kirklees Valley nature reserve on the outskirts of Bury.
Members of the Kirklees Valley Wildlife Rescue said they had been called by a member of the public who found the dead birdson Saturday, May 31.
They said that when they arrived they found a ‘distressing scene’ beside the water. A spokesperson for the rescue team, said: “A swan had been shot and killed, leaving his grieving partner and four cygnets behind.
“X rays of the swan confirmed it had been cruelly shot multiple times with an air rifle. “Several mallard ducks had also been shot, killed, and left at the same location.”
Wild birds are protected by law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. It is a criminal offence to deliberately kill or injure them.
The spokesperson, added: “This needless act of cruelty has been reported to the police, and we urge locals in the area to stay vigilant.”
Swans are known to for their strong ‘couple bonding’.
The International Fund for Animal Welfare’s website, states: “Swans mate for life, and they perform an elaborate courtship dance to cement their bond.
“They typically breed during the spring or summer, with some species travelling in flocks to do so.”
The rescue team said if anyone has any information about the wildlife attack, they should contact the police using the incident number 1413 of May 31.