Punters in a flap as grandson of Mr Asbo resumes reign of terror
Descendant of vicious swan that was removed from the Cam appears to be a chip off the old block
PUNTING on the river Cam is enjoyed by thousands every year for its relaxing and scenic views of Cambridge University’s world famous college Backs.
But recent visitors have faced a less welcoming reception, as the grandson of one of the UK’S most vicious swans appears to be following in its grandfather’s wake.
Mr Asbo was moved from the river Cam in 2012 to an undisclosed location after attacking punters and rowers.
Now its grandson, Asbaby, is making a name for itself on the river for its vicious behaviour, including an assault on a baby gosling.
Asbaby grabbed the gosling in its beak and viciously swung it around. The gosling’s parents soon saw what was going on and fought back, enlisting more geese to help in the fight.
The geese flapped their wings and squawked until Asbaby dropped the frightened gosling back into the water. Tourists, who were punting on the river, were horrified as they watched the distressing scene play out.
In 2015, Asbaby’s father, Asboy, was seen attacking punters, birds and even a cow. It also injured a canoeist and a swimmer.
Ashley Dalton, who owns Scholars Punting on the River Cam, said swans on the river could often be very aggressive, adding: “They fluff up their feathers and aggressively swim towards you.
“Sometimes they start taking a run at you and hit you over the head with their wing. They tend to make passes at canoeists too, who sometimes fall in the river after the swan has hit them.
“I have had them nip me before, but it never causes a serious injury. However, if it was to attack a child it could draw blood.”
The 2019 generation, known as Asbaby, is now believed to be even more vicious than its grandfather Mr Asbo, who was moved to another location by the river authorities, and presumably given a new identity, after it repeatedly attacked rowers.
The new swan is believed to have inherited its bad temper from its grandfather and its father Asboy, which also conducted a reign of terror on the river in 2014 and 2015.
Sam Tulley, a local resident who witnessed Asbaby’s attack on the gosling, said: “Asbaby was vicious when he was young, but now that he is bigger and stronger he is even worse.
“He is a real bully on the river and even worse than his father and grandfather. It’s worrying as the river is getting busier now too.”