‘Dozens’ of swans discovered useless in London canal with Defra investigation launched | EUROtoday

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More than 25 swans have been discovered useless in a London canal, leaving conservation teams “heartbroken” and questioning the reason for the deaths.

Charity Swan Support mentioned the problems started on the finish of September when volunteers found a number of of the useless birds alongside the Grand Union Canal in Bankside, Southall.

Since then, the charity says it has now discovered 25 swans, 15 geese, three geese, two coots and a moorhen alongside the stretch of canal that additionally runs by Uxbridge.

Mystery over the useless birds has deepened with assessments on the primary set of useless swans coming again unfavourable for avian influenza, also called hen flu.

Swan Support isn’t rulling out poisoning or air pollution, and together with neighborhood group Friends of Grand Union Canal is looking for an investigation, which Defra says it has launched.

A spokesperson for the Friends of Grand Union Canal mentioned: “Our members first posted about dead swans on 24 September, after heavy rains.

“Since then we have had many more posts, almost daily. We are aware that Swan Support have been collecting the bodies which is a very upsetting task.

In a statement, Swan Support said: “Whilst we are willing to do the unfortunate job of recovering the bodies from the water, we are not in position financially to cover the costs of disposal and it is not our responsibility to either.

“Also we do not know what we are dealing with – it’s clearly an illness of some kind that is spreading. We can’t be sure if bird flu is a cause or if it’s a toxin in the water and therefore precautions need to be taken to protect those already in care and those we rescue outside of the area.”

A Canal and River Trust spokesperson mentioned: “We are concerned by reports of dead swans in west London. Wild birds are an essential part of the wildlife along our canals.

“Defra is the authority responsible for investigating potential outbreaks of bird flu. We support their work by reporting dead birds to them and following their directions on removal.”

They added that members of the general public shouldn’t contact or decide up any useless or visibly sick birds, however as a substitute name the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77.

A Defra animal and plant well being company spokesperson mentioned: “We are aware of a number of wild birds deaths in the Uxbridge area in West London and are investigating these deaths as part of our wild bird surveillance programme.”