Outpouring of sadness at death of cygnets at Cheltenham park
Beloved swans George and Maisie have now lost two of their five cygnets
Last updated 26th Jun 2023
A Cheltenham park community has expressed grief at the news that a family of affectionately-named swans has lost two of its youngsters.
Pitville Swans & Friends who watch over swans George and Maisie posted the news on its Facebook page:
"Very sad news this morning - we have lost another cygnet. Carol has retrieved the remains, found on land and it looks as if the cygnet was predated 😪"
The announcement was met with dozens of comments from locals expressing their sadness.
The death comes just a few days after the group revealed the first fatality:
"It's with a heavy heart we have to bring you devastating news. We sadly lost one of the magnificent 7 late last night, the cygnets body was recovered from the water. Thank you to everyone involved 💔 George, Maisie and 6 cygnets are all well this morning."
It is believed the youngster was attacked by a predator. Many of the contributors to the comments now want to find out the exact cause of death with one user writing:
'I doubt it was predated since the body was found in the water (foxes aren't going to swim into the lake to kill cygnets) we also know there aren't any pike big enough to take a cygnet that big'
While another wrote:
'Was it a pike or the mink? They've been so protected as well. Am speechless'