Swan upping: Royal cygnet numbers drop by 40% in a year

A historical royal census, known arsenic "swan upping", has revealed a 40% driblet successful the fig of cygnets connected the River Thames, compared with past year.

The diminution has been blamed connected avian flu but besides a increasing occupation of violence, including shootings, catapult attacks and dogs sidesplitting swans.

Only 94 cygnets were recovered connected the five-day hunt of the Thames.

The King's swan marker, David Barber, said the effect was "disappointing" but, due to the fact that of avian flu, expected.

The interaction of avian flu had been "horrendous, unspeakable to see," said Mr Barber, who was successful complaint of the count, which covers the Thames from London to Abingdon successful Oxfordshire.

Down from 155 successful 2022, it was the lowest fig of cygnets for 7 years.

But those recovered had been "in bully condition", Mr Barber said.

Another origin successful the diminution was precocious flood-water washing distant nests.

But determination were besides concerns astir "vandalism", including:

This was the archetypal yearly "swan upping" nether the insignia of King Charles III.

Teams dressed successful scarlet outfits enactment up the river, stopping to count, measurement and measurement immoderate cygnets they find.

"Swan upping" began successful the 12th Century arsenic the Crown protecting its ownership of swans - but it is present astir wildlife conservation.

Once a delicacy successful medieval banquets, they are present a protected species.

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