THE 'brutal killings' of two swans and the hospitalisation of another have led to a police appeal.
Residents in Pershore were horrified after a trio of swans was shot multiple times by a person with a BB gun at Avon Meadows Community Wetland in Pershore.
One of the swans was found with a hole straight through her head and is currently undergoing care at Vale Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre.
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West Mercia Police are now appealing to the public to come forward with any information from the incident, which took place between 5pm on May 3 and 10pm on May 4.
The swan's eggs were taken, and the nest was destroyed with several BB cartridges littering the nest.
Police revealed the swan eggs may have hatched, and they are keeping an open mind.
They have urged anyone who has any evidence about this to get in touch.
Police Constable Amy Hunt, Pershore Safer Neighbourhood Team, said what had happened was despicable.
PC Hunt added: “We are appealing for the public’s help for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious at the nature reserve last Wednesday or Thursday to contact us.
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"Our team will continue to work with volunteers from Nest Watch and Wychavon District Council wildlife sites officer to monitor the local wild bird population for signs of any further cruelty offences, and together, we are urging anyone with information to please get in touch.
"This was a despicable thing to do to an animal, we take incidents like this extremely seriously and will seek to prosecute the individual or individuals responsible if they can be identified.”
Wild swans belong to the Crown and are protected as wild birds by the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
Those found guilty of committing these crimes can expect an unlimited fine, up to six months imprisonment or both.
Concerned resident Sally Cooper-New said: "The residents of Pershore were horrified to learn of the brutal killing of a pair of nesting swans on the wetlands near the River Avon over the coronation weekend."
Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Amy Hunt at 07971 395014 or you can email the local Safer Neighbourhood team direct at pershoretown.snt@westmercia.police.uk
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