A SWAN which survived an attack on the canal has had to be put down after it suffered severe injuries in another incident.

In April this year, a male swan was shot and killed by a gang of youths on the stretch of Manchester Bolton and Bury Canal in Little Lever and its partner has now died.

The cause of the female swan’s injuries has not yet been discovered but the RSPCA said the bird had not been shot.

The charity went to the canalside to try to catch the bird after a member of the public called to say it had been seen with injuries above its beak.

RSPCA animal collection officer, Gina Ratcliff, said: “I was very lucky to catch her at all, someone else had been out the night before, but had no success.

“She was very wary of me and the water was quite deep where she was so I knew I only had one chance from dry land.

“I lay down on the canal bank and luckily managed to get hold of her with a swan hook.

“We don’t know what caused the injuries she had sustained, but they were severe.

“She was taken to our specialist wildlife centre RSPCA Stapeley Grange in Cheshire but very sadly there was nothing that could be done for her and she had to be put to sleep.

“It’s always upsetting when things go this way, but more so here because of what happened to her mate previously.”

Patrols along the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal have been stepped up in response to a rise in illegal incidents affecting the bird population in recent months.

Last week a patrol rescued another female swan which was being ‘bitten’ and ‘wing-slapped’ by a pair of swans as they protected their cygnets at the Royal Oak Basin, in Radcliffe.

Paul Higson, head bailiff and wildlife officer for Little Britain Anglers, patrols the canal and saved the bird before taking it to Greenmount Wild Bird Hospital.

The swan was later given the all-clear and Mr Higson returned it to the canal.

A swan, cat and fox were among animals found killed along the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal in Radcliffe in January this year.

Anyone with information about what caused the swan’s injuries should call the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018.