Thames swans killed

OVER 150 Thames mute swans have died due to infections caused by the severe weather between January and March.

Post-mortem examinations by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency  revealed the swans were killed by a range of infections including necrotic enteritis, duck virus enteritis and aspergillosis, Alan Tilbury reveals.

Swan lifeline

A spokesman for Swan Lifeline told that the dead birds were found  at Reading (pictured) and Windsor.

Wendy Hermon, of Swan Lifeline, stated:

"It has been very stressful collecting the bodies as we usually rescue injured swans and cygnets to treat and release them back to the wild."