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REDBRIDGE: Teenagers attack Swans' nest
A GANG of callous thugs have smashed the eggs of one of Redbridge's only two breeding swans after reaching its nest on a make-shift raft.
A group of seven teenagers battered the undefended eggs with a plastic oar after floating across a pond to an island where the bird had built its nest, in South Park, Ilford.
The carnage only ended when the youngsters, who built the raft by strapping empty plastic bottles to a wooden pallet, were chased off by a park warden.
Parks Police constable, Ian Cranston, was shocked by the damage the gang caused during the attack, on Monday, May 12.
He said: "I was saddened by what I saw, because these boys had gone to great lengths to make this raft to get over to the nest and smash the eggs.
"I don't know why they did it, or what they got out of it. They must have thought it would be fun.
"When we got there the swan was floating on the pond, obviously disturbed by what had happened.
"It must have done its best to defend the eggs, but it was completely outnumbered."
PC Cranston, who volunteers for the London Swan Sanctuary in his spare time, said officers would do their best to ensure the bird's surviving eggs are protected during the next few weeks.
He said: "This Swan is one of only two nesting females in our parks, so its eggs are particularly precious. Luckily some eggs survived and it's protecting them again.
"We are doing all we can to protect them both."
These views were echoed by John Boylin, head of Redbridge Parks Police, who called on park users to stay away from nesting birds.
He said: "We are sad to have lost some swan eggs, because we only have one other nest in the borough.
"This is a particularly shocking incident, and hopefully a one off, but it's essential that people stay away from birds nests at this time of year."
10:36am Friday 16th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Chingford United Netball Team, E4 on 12:00pm Fri 16 May 08
Can we step back, think outside the box and look at the positive aspect of this.
Here we have an example of enterprising you adults with a flair for engineering.
Lets hope they spend as much time and effor with their studies.
Bravo.
Can we step back, think outside the box and look at the positive aspect of this.
Here we have an example of enterprising you adults with a flair for engineering.
Lets hope they spend as much time and effor with their studies.
Bravo.
Posted by: John, Romford on 1:06pm Fri 16 May 08
Maybe if the guilty are caught, their own mother's 'eggs' could be destroyed to ensure they don't spawn any more scum like these.
Maybe if the guilty are caught, their own mother's 'eggs' could be destroyed to ensure they don't spawn any more scum like these.
Posted by: Walthamster, E17 on 3:46pm Fri 16 May 08
I'm impressed by the park warden, who stood up to a gang of seven thugs. We need people like that, and I'm glad he didn't get hurt.
But the council is cutting back on park staff (among the many other vital services that they endlessly undermine). This is an example of why we need parks to be staffed.
I'm impressed by the park warden, who stood up to a gang of seven thugs. We need people like that, and I'm glad he didn't get hurt.
But the council is cutting back on park staff (among the many other vital services that they endlessly undermine). This is an example of why we need parks to be staffed.
Posted by: frank, Leyton on 4:06pm Fri 16 May 08
[quote][bold]John[/bold] wrote:
Maybe if the guilty are caught, their own mother\'s \'eggs\' could be destroyed to ensure they don\'t spawn any more scum like these. [/quote] I agree John. These people are true filth and should be locked up.
John wrote:
Maybe if the guilty are caught, their own mother\'s \'eggs\' could be destroyed to ensure they don\'t spawn any more scum like these.
I agree John. These people are true filth and should be locked up.
Posted by: Feral Youth on 6:00pm Fri 16 May 08
it was only a couple of eggs. who cares, at least no humans got hurt
it was only a couple of eggs. who cares, at least no humans got hurt
Posted by: inézc, Epping on 6:17pm Fri 16 May 08
Maybe so Feral but reasearch has shown that if children show no respect for animals then they are far less likely to show any respect for humans. Swans have somethign of a reputation for being territorial and aggressive if confronted, and it's just a shame that this didn't happen here, although I hate to think what these shining examples of society would have done if the swans had retaliated. This bunch of oxygen thieves are abominable.
Maybe so Feral but reasearch has shown that if children show no respect for animals then they are far less likely to show any respect for humans. Swans have somethign of a reputation for being territorial and aggressive if confronted, and it's just a shame that this didn't happen here, although I hate to think what these shining examples of society would have done if the swans had retaliated. This bunch of oxygen thieves are abominable.
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