A nesting swan was shot in the head with an air rifle becoming the fifth bird in 10 days to be targeted in a cruel attack. The bird was attacked while tending to her unhatched eggs in Thames Valley, west of London, and is the fifth swan to be "mindlessly" attacked.
Charity Swan Support was called in to support the bird who then performed an operation to remove the 8mm pellet. Her eggs were taken to a support centre and she will be reunited with them once the mum has made a full recovery.
In what are believed to be linked attacks, four other swans were targeted and another was killed. Wendy Hermon, of Swan Support, said the bird was found "sat on a nest" with "blood all over its head".
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