[Marc]

A swan owned by the Queen has been found barbecued on the banks of the Thames in the shadow of Windsor Castle.

The Royal bird was found on Baths Island, in the middle of a picnic area popular with children and tourists.

It had been cooked with its feathers still attached, and meat had been stripped from its carcass.

Park wardens made the gruesome discovery in Windsor, Berkshire, at 3pm on Sunday, and called Swan Lifeline, which cares for sick or injured birds along the Thames.

Wendy Hermon, treatment centre co-ordinator for Swan Lifeline, told Sky News Online: "They were in the middle of their walkabout when they phoned us to say we've found what looks like the remains of a cooked swan.

"It's absolutely disgusting doing something like that. We've heard for years that sort of thing goes on; we've never actually seen it.

"But to barbecue a swan and leave its body in the centre of Windsor with all the tourists and children about is absolutely disgraceful."

She added: "We have shot swans from time to time, and swans attacked by dogs and foxes, but that's nature and we accept it.

"But when it's something like this it's disgusting. It was so so selfish and wrong just to leave it there in the middle of the grass.

"They'd stripped the meat off it, they'd carved the breasts off the bones. There were no remains of a fire, but they're always having barbecues up there even though they're not allowed.

"And I think that's why the park wardens had gone up there, to tell people not to barbecue."

She said the carcass was taken back to the Swan Lifeline centre to be cremated.

David Barber, The Queen’s Swan Marker, said he was appalled by the incident.

"It's an absolutely shocking situation and as far as I'm concerned the police are investigating this," he told Sky News.

"All swans are considered by people to be Royal birds and it's quite a shock to people to see this in a middle of a picnic lawn in a public area."

He said all swans on the Thames belong to the Queen, apart from those owned by the Vintners and Dyers livery companies.

The suspects face a maximum six months jail sentence and £5,000 fine because wild swans are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

But Mr Barber said if the dead swan is claimed by the Crown, the suspects could also be prosecuted for damaging Crown property.

The first written record of the swan as a Royal bird dates back to the 12th century.

Cygnets were highly prized for their gourmet qualities and were often served at banquets. Anyone caught stealing the birds was severely punished.

Um...

[Verbal]

All Swans technically below to the Crown. It wasnt one of her pets. Similar things happen where I live quite a lot. Idiotic Cardiff fans abusing these birds purely because of them being 'swans'. Hearing a Cardiff fan shouting at the top of his voice 'you jack bastard' at an actual swan, is not an uncommon experience. Not even joking. It was probably one of them.

[Jordan.]

Someone had it in for swan Gaga

[Kazanne]

aw,that's really sad.

[Jake.]

Originally Posted by Jordan.

Someone had it in for swan Gaga

omfg

but no that's sad, the bastards

[Withano]

We have shot swans before but that's nature and we accept it?

[Verbal]

Originally Posted by Withano

We have shot swans before but that's nature and we accept it?

They are a protected species, its illegal. If you were caught you could be sent to prison.

Probably a hate crime because all swans look gay.

[swinearefine]

Oh no, an animal died! Billions of animals are slaughtered every year. Just because the aristocracy have wrongfully claimed ownership of this small number of animals doesn't make any sadder than your average joe/jane eating a hamburger

[Withano]

Originally Posted by CynicalHermit

They are a protected species, its illegal. If you were caught you could be sent to prison.

I was quoting the article.. Some woman was saying about how they have shot swans before but thats nature?

[Jords]

I wonder if it was tasty?

[DanaC]

Don't see whyleaving the carcass for visitors and kids to see was so awful...no more so than a roast chicken on a table, or a whole pig on a roasting spit at the fairground.

The fact that they're a protected species means more to me than the fact that these swans are owned by the queen.

[Verbal]

Originally Posted by DanaC

Don't see whyleaving the carcass for visitors and kids to see was so awful...no more so than a roast chicken on a table, or a whole pig on a roasting spit at the fairground.

The fact that they're a protected species means more to me than the fact that these swans are owned by the queen.

Now thats just silly

Vegetarian I guess

[Tozzie]

Oh, thats awful Some may joke but I think its quite upsetting. I just hope there were no children around to witness them killing the Swan. Swans are beautiful, regal creatures I dont like to think of them being barbecued :-(

[Marc]

Originally Posted by swinearefine

Oh no, an animal died! Billions of animals are slaughtered every year. Just because the aristocracy have wrongfully claimed ownership of this small number of animals doesn't make any sadder than your average joe/jane eating a hamburger

I only posted this because it made the news. Don't view me as an animal loving heathen.

[Marc]

Originally Posted by Jords

I wonder if it was tasty?

Clearly.. Not an ounce left!

[smudgie]

Hmmmm Henry the Eighth was quite partial to a juicy swan..

[Marc]

Here today.. Swan tomorrow

[Saph]

this is how I want to die

[Gstar]

Good. Swans are rude anyway, almost as if they know they're not allowed to be killed. Oh and ****** the queen

[Jake.]

Originally Posted by Saph

this is how I want to die

Originally Posted by Germyle

Good. Swans are rude anyway, almost as if they know they're not allowed to be killed. Oh and ****** the queen

Dying

[DanaC]

Originally Posted by CynicalHermit

Now thats just silly

Vegetarian I guess

Who me?

No...I like meat.









fnarr fnarr

[Nedusa]

I hope they used the fat to cook the roast potatoes, all said a very tasty meal ...!!!

[Verbal]

Originally Posted by DanaC

Who me?

No...I like meat.









fnarr fnarr

I'm saying nothing

[Nemo123]

In Dad's Army last Saturday the Home Guard shot a swan having mistaken it for a German pilot bailing out of his aircraft. They weren't sure whether to eat him or not as apparently only the King/Queen is allowed eat them.