A mother swan died of a broken heart after young vandals destroyed her unhatched eggs, forcing her mate to abandon the nest

Animals can die of a broken heart and the story of a swan brought tears in our eyes. The swan had laid six eggs at a Manchester park. Sadly, a group of vandals had destroyed most of the unhatched eggs. As if that wasn’t enough, the swan’s mate ran away, too.

Michael James Mason, a wildlife enthusiast, was taking care of the swan, monitoring its development. He was posting regular updates on the swan family in a Facebook group. Members of this group enjoyed reading all the stories about the momma swan. They were devastated to learn that vandals had thrown bricks at her eggs.

“I really don’t want to do this post today because it comes with great sadness,” Mason wrote. “I have tried to keep you updated on this Swan who laid six eggs.”

Young vandals destroyed three eggs. The poor swan had to deal with local dogs, a moorhen, and a duck, too. She lost two more eggs. The devastated mother was left with only one egg and without a mate. It was an awful end to a sad story. The swan was found “slumped in her nest dead.”

“Just feel like crying as I have followed her progress for about 12 weeks,” Mason added.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals conducted an investigation into the tragic death of the swan.

Swan whose nest was smashed up by vandals with bricks ‘dies from a broken heart’https://t.co/s5fpZujJ5D

— Manchester News MEN (@MENnewsdesk) June 20, 2020

“This is a really sad development and it is very upsetting to hear about the death of this poor swan. We are investigating the previous distressing incident and we would urge anyone with information to contact our appeals line on 0300 123 8018. Swans, their nests and their eggs are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.”

The incident has attracted the attention of wildlife activists and locals.

“There’s not much I can say really,” Sam Woodrow, a wildlife activist, said of the poor swan. “She probably died of a broken heart as she had a partner for life and he was driven away by stress.”

Swan ‘dies from a broken heart’ after teenagers destroy nest and eggs https://t.co/k6Lh5LimYH

— Republic (@republic) June 22, 2020

Experts at the Swan Lifeline, a rescue center for swans, explain that they have seen similar cases. Swans can die of a broken heart if they lose a partner. Let’s not forget that swans mate for life.

Another similar incident happened earlier this summer. On June 8, an elderly person was jogging in Richmond Park in south-west London. There’s nothing wrong about jogging in a park, but this person actually kicked a young cygnet.

Police hunt jogger who kicked cygnet out of his way in Richmond Park https://t.co/s4RFVCAQEQ

— clare harrod (@ClareHarrod) June 10, 2020

The Metropolitan police have initiated an investigation into the incident. Officers believe the person damaged the bird’s brain. The cygnet was taken care of at a sanctuary in Shepperton Surrey. Sadly, it died two days after arriving at the sanctuary.

Witnesses say the bird was kicked by a balding white male, age 60, probably 5’6’’. According to the reports, the man was wearing black running shorts, a vest, and a running top with a logo. The man tried to kick another cygnet, but the bird managed to fly away.

“Sadly the cygnet died this afternoon, his injuries were too severe,” Royal Parks Police said. “The suspect was seen to kick another cygnet, which thankfully managed to escape to the water.”

Source: www.cambridge-news.co.uk