bicycle
09-04-2009, 04:47 PM
A FIERCE swan which has attacked rowers on the River Cam could be 'evicted'.
The rogue bird has been letting fly at boaters, and the body which oversees the river issued a warning to river users after a rower was knocked into the water, as the News exclusively reported.
Yesterday a canoeist got into trouble with the bird - and its nefarious deeds were caught on camera by a photographer watching its movements.
The swan, which has earned the nickname 'Mr Asbo', is nesting at Plough Reach near Ditton Corner and does not take kindly to other river-users - even chasing them and flying after them.
Cambridgeshire Rowing Association and the Cam Conservators have warned that the bird is taking out its feathered fury on boaters. The bird has even attacked crews of eight rowers.
Sculler Alan Mason, who was attacked by the bird, warned the creature could pose a threat to children using the river.
The Cam Conservators are now looking at ways to tackle the fiery swan. River manager Pip Noon will today launch an investigation into the possibility of moving it.
She said: "Most of the rowers are actually turning around before they get to where the swan is. We will be getting in contact with the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) to see if they can shift it.
"They have taken other ducks away because they've been bullied but this is a reverse situation and it depends on whether it has a nest there."
Rower Matt Fraylingcork, of Cantabrigian Rowing Club, described the swan as a "vicious beast". He turned around before getting within reach of its beak.
A spokesman for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said: "This won't go on for very long. It is very rare for this to happen but if these birds are being fed they often have no fear of humans and are not responding as wild birds would."
No-one from the RSPCA was available for comment, but its website states: "Swans are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and it is illegal to take, injure or kill them, or interfere with their nests or eggs.
"The maximum penalty is six months in prison and/or a £5,000 fine."
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_home/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=406902
The rogue bird has been letting fly at boaters, and the body which oversees the river issued a warning to river users after a rower was knocked into the water, as the News exclusively reported.
Yesterday a canoeist got into trouble with the bird - and its nefarious deeds were caught on camera by a photographer watching its movements.
The swan, which has earned the nickname 'Mr Asbo', is nesting at Plough Reach near Ditton Corner and does not take kindly to other river-users - even chasing them and flying after them.
Cambridgeshire Rowing Association and the Cam Conservators have warned that the bird is taking out its feathered fury on boaters. The bird has even attacked crews of eight rowers.
Sculler Alan Mason, who was attacked by the bird, warned the creature could pose a threat to children using the river.
The Cam Conservators are now looking at ways to tackle the fiery swan. River manager Pip Noon will today launch an investigation into the possibility of moving it.
She said: "Most of the rowers are actually turning around before they get to where the swan is. We will be getting in contact with the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) to see if they can shift it.
"They have taken other ducks away because they've been bullied but this is a reverse situation and it depends on whether it has a nest there."
Rower Matt Fraylingcork, of Cantabrigian Rowing Club, described the swan as a "vicious beast". He turned around before getting within reach of its beak.
A spokesman for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said: "This won't go on for very long. It is very rare for this to happen but if these birds are being fed they often have no fear of humans and are not responding as wild birds would."
No-one from the RSPCA was available for comment, but its website states: "Swans are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and it is illegal to take, injure or kill them, or interfere with their nests or eggs.
"The maximum penalty is six months in prison and/or a £5,000 fine."
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_home/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=406902