Group fed up with pond’ s violent swan

An Arbroath community group is campaigning for the removal of a swan it says has left residents “traumatised” by its violent behaviour.

Keptie Friends says it has had enough of a male swan that continuously terrorises other wildlife at Keptie Pond in Arbroath.

The group say the bird, known locally as Jock, has killed hundreds of ducklings in the area over the last few years, with more than 100 slaughtered last year alone.

Keptie Friends has asked animal charities to relocate the swan and its female partner from the pond to ensure the safety of other wildlife in the area.

Scott Shortridge, chairman of Keptie Friends, said the swan has become increasingly aggressive over the years.

He said: “In breeding season, when his female partner is sitting on the nest trying to hatch eggs or when he has a cygnet, he basically terrorises every other bird in the pond.

“What he tries to do is drown the female ducks to stop them from breeding so you don’t get any ducklings.

“He also attacks the ducklings and eats them.

“It maybe sounds wrong to try to remove him because it is nature but nature would thrive in a much more prosperous way if he wasn’t there.”

Bob Middleton, another member of Keptie Friends, described Jock the swan as a “cannibal”.

“I know that swans in other lochs and ponds do chase other wildlife but this swan is exceptional,” Bob said.

“He catches them, drowns or knocks the dickens out of them and then eats them.”

But other residents disagree with the group’s bid to rid the pond of Jock.

Sandra Craig, who lives near Keptie Pond, said it should not be the group’s right to request the removal of the swan.

She said: “I do not like them dictating who can live in that pond – the swan, yes he’s territorial but swans are territorial if it’s breeding season. That’s the way it goes, it’s wildlife.”

Scottish SPCA chief superintendent Mike Flynn said it would “not relocate a healthy animal simply for displaying natural behaviours”.

He said: “We are aware of an aggressive male swan on Kelpie Pond. Although we appreciate it’s distressing for members of the public to witness the swan attacking other birds, swans are very territorial and this is normal behaviour.”

Bob Middleton, Scott Shortridge and Jean Stewart of Arbroath community group Keptie Friends.

WILDLIFE: The bird, known as Jock, at Keptie Pond has been described as a “cannibal”.