The carcass of a butchered swan has been found in Wanganui after the loss of two swans from Virginia Lake.
This follows the discovery of a shot swan on Tuesday and the poisoning of two others which survived.
The find has prompoted Wanganui District councillor Ray Stevens to double a reward of $200 for information leading to the prosecution of the offenders.
The feathered carcass was found in Tayforth Rd and Mr Stevens said it had obviously "been butchered to remove the breast meat".
"When there's a random shooting of a duck or other bird that's one thing but this is really getting down in the gutter."