A SWAN was killed at a popular Parks lake last week.

The female swan, who had been nesting on seven eggs by Shaftesbury Lake in Park North, was found dead on May 5.

Swindon Borough Council rangers were called to the scene after the carcass was spotted, along with the male swan attempting to cover up the nest.

When the pen’s body was discovered there were concerns that humans were to blame for the death.

And fears have now grown for the future of swans in the area after rangers said they believed the bird was the victim of a dog attack.

A Swindon Borough Council spokesman said: “Our ranger team were alerted to the death of the swan, which we believe may have been the result of a dog attack. Unfortunately the swan built its nest by the roadside bank so was in a vulnerable position. South West Swan Sanctuary took three of the swan eggs away and the male swan is now looking after the remaining four eggs.

Rangers from Swindon Borough Council will be closely monitoring the progress and safety of the male swan in the coming weeks.

The death was reported to Wiltshire Police who investigated the incident.

A spokesman said: “We received a call from a concerned member of the public on Friday, May 5 that a dead swan was on the lake

“Our officers have conducted enquiries and there are no witnesses to any one throwing stones and the dead swan has no marks on it, suggesting it was not killed by stoning. There is nothing to suggest any crime has occurred.”

Although swans mate for life and will grieve for a lost partner, The Swan Sanctuary say the male or cobb swan is fully equipped to raise the cygnets.

“A single swan is quite capable of rearing the cygnets alone. People often worry that nesting swans will starve to death when they have lost their mates as they are scared to leave their nests in search of food – this is incorrect. All female swans feast before nesting as they know food will be harder to come by once they are on the nest – it is normal for them to lose weight during the nesting period.

“That said, if a nesting swan has lost their mate then it will be grateful for any food thrown within reach of the nest.”

An RSPCA spokesman confirmed they had offered advice about a suspected animal attack on the swan.

The community has also rallied round the swans.

One Facebook user wrote: “They are such beautiful birds going about their business. Can we be more aware when dog walking , out and about etc as to what is going on around us. We have a duty to care and look after all wildlife.”