A mother swan died from a broken heart after heartless vandals reportedly smashed her unhatched eggs with bricks.
That is indeed very sick.
According to reports, a group of teenage boys killed the unborn cygnets after hurling rocks and bricks at them last month.
The incident happened in Bolton, Greater Manchester.
The mother was found dead earlier this week after the father of the swan disappeared.
It is said that the teenagers were seen throwing rocks and bricks at the nest of the swan on May 20, 2020.
The nest was along the Manchester Canal in Kearsley.
Witnesses said that the kids were aiming for the island where the swans had made a nest.
3 of the 6 eggs were left smashed.
Wildlife Activists that were monitoring the swans said that more eggs got lost in the recent weeks.
Only 1 egg survived.
Not only that, but the father swan also left because of the stressful 2 weeks that he had to endure.
If that’s not enough suffering, there’s more.
The female swan was harassed by ducks, a dog, and moor hens since the unhatched eggs were first attacked.
Earlier this week, activists found the female swan dead in her nest.
Sam Woodrow, an activist, said:
There’s not much I can say really. She probably died of a broken heart as she had a partner for life and he was driven away by stress.
According to Swan Lifeline, it has been known for swans to die of a broken heart if they lose their partners.
Swans mate for their entire life.
A spokesperson for the RSPCA said:
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.
If a swan’s mate disappears or is killed, the surviving bird goes through the same grieving process humans go through. That’s why it is either that the surviving swan finds a new stretch of water to live in, flies off to join another spot, possibly die of a broken heart, or stay where it is.