Swan killed In Egerton Park

Not this time savaged by a dog or scared away by stone-throwing louts, but a victim of the Law of the Jungle.

Two mature swans landed in the park on Thursday morning, much to the chagrin of the dominant male cob already in residence, who evidently perceived their arrival as a threat to his partner and the cygnet they are rearing.

He began viscously defending his turf and attacked one of the interlopers at the corner of the lake.

Park wardens separated the two but the damage had been done to the victim.

A spokesman said: "We left on Thursday and it was wandering around in a bit of a daze on the grass. When we came back in today (Friday) we found it floating dead in the pond and had to fish it out.

"It had died from shock, which is quite common. Another thing they sometimes do is drown each other.

"Swans are extremely territorial and this is not the first time it has happened. It's a shame but that's nature's way I suppose. It's ironic it should happen after all the trouble in the last year with kids throwing stones and the dog attack.

"We have discreetly disposed of the body."