Yobs See Nesting Swan As Latest Target
YOBS SEE NESTING SWAN AS LATEST TARGET
BY MIKE BYRNE
11:40 - 05 April 2008
Exeter animal lovers have condemned stone-throwing yobs who have been terrorising a nesting swan on the River Exe.
The swan attacks follow two other incidents involving animals along the river.
Earlier this week, there were complaints about youths throwing stones at a grey seal which had swum up river looking for fish.
And just a few hundred yards away, a large boa constrictor was found burned to death at a riverside play park in St Thomas's Flowerpot Fields.
The latest incident was reported by Dale Williams, a regular swan watcher, who said: "Yobs are coming down and pelting her with stones, potatoes and onions. They must be coming prepared, especially to do it.
"After the seal on the river was stoned and that dreadful business with the snake being burned alive further up river, we think it is time there was a river warden.
"There has been talk about it in the past but things seem to have deteriorated to the point where something has to be done."
A spokesman for Devon Wildlife Trust said he was disgusted by the attacks on the nest.
He said: "We are distressed that anyone would purposely attack any wildlife and urge people to report incidents they see."
Mr Williams claimed that by clearing away vegetation and trees near the River Exe, the trust had left the female swan and her eggs in a position of danger.
"The site used to be protected by lots of undergrowth but the trust has now cleared that all away, exposing the nest to passers-by," he said. "We are really worried for her safety and that of the eggs."
But the trust said its clearance work had not exposed the swans and urged members of the public to leave the birds alone.
John Hayward, the trust's wildlife gardening expert, said: "It is very unfortunate that at exactly the time when they need a bit of peace and quiet to bring up their young that they are being treated in this way.
"Our continuing work to enhance the area has included some clearance of vegetation but this has not exposed the swans' nest any more than it was before and was carried out primarily to stop trees leaning on neighbouring buildings.
"We urge that the public respect these beautiful birds, which are such an important part of the atmosphere of the River Exe."
Last year, five cygnets in a nest near the Quay were killed by a dog and an adult swan abandoned her nest.
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