Swans left paralysed and struggling to breathe after heatwave causes botulism deaths

DOZENS of swans have died across Britain after being struck by a deadly bout of avian botulism caused by the heatwave.

The outbreak has killed more than 30 swans at a beauty spot in Lakeside, Doncaster, over the bank holiday weekend, according to the RSPCA.

The animal welfare group confirmed that two more sick birds had to be put down yesterday, in scenes that one witness compared to “a horror movie”.

Denise Marshall, who lives nearby, said that she has “been told by two women who live here that this has been going on for five weeks”.

There are concerns that the illness will threaten the health of swans all over the country, and other botulism reports were already made earlier in the year in Oldham and the Midlands. John Gibson, an RSPCA Inspector, said the illness was caused by the recent hot weather which has led to low water levels and an increase of toxic algae because of the rotting vegetation.

The birds affected are often unable to use their legs and their neck muscles become paralysed, making them drown or die from respiratory failure.

He said: “We have rescued a number of swans and other water birds who are responding well to treatment, but many more have been found dead or had to be put to sleep.

“We are removing the bodies as not doing so is known to increase the concentrate of the toxin,” he added.

Earlier in July, around 80 swans and geese were found dead in the lake at Harrow Lodge Park in Hornchurch.

Many of the 300 water birds rescued from ponds and lakes by the Swan Sanctuary in Shepperton are also suffering from avian botulism.

The sanctuary has reported a surge in the past four weeks in the number of birds being brought into the hospital with the disease. A large number are recovering on drips, but they cannot be sent back into the water until the toxins have completely cleared.

Chris Mcguinness, of Doncaster council’s environment committee, said: “The RSPCA are visiting regularly to remove any dead birds and treat any that are showing symptoms.

“The water has been treated with a non-toxic and eco-friendly blue-green dye to control aquatic weeds that can sometimes cause other problems.

“It is not harmful but we would recommend that residents and their pets do not go in the water.”