Law Wildlife Act aims to protect birds

Under laws that have existed since the medieval era, the Queen owns any unmarked swans in open water in both England and Wales.

From the 12th century until 1998, killing or injuring a swan was classed as treason. It is still an offence to injure, take or kill a wild swan as they are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and doing so could amount to criminal damage. Every year in July, there is a census of all the swans in the River Thames.