Swan shooting sparks hunt

Rowan McGregor said Massey University tests indicated the swans were intentionally poisoned. Photo/Stuart Munro

A swan has been shot and two others poisoned at Virginia Lake, prompting a call for people to report suspicious activity.

"It is a real concern that someone has shot and killed a swan in a public reserve," Wanganui District Council property manager Rowan McGregor said.

The dead swan was found on Tuesday and was reported to police. "Virginia Lake is a very well-used public place, so discharging a firearm in that area puts people at risk," Mr McGregor said.

"It appears that the swans are being targeted, with two being poisoned last week.

"They were in a bad state and were taken to Bird Rescue, where they are recovering. Tests done by Massey University indicate that the birds were intentionally poisoned."

Council member and Westmere garage owner Ray Stevens said it wasn't the first time birds had been poisoned at the lake. A source at the Bird Rescue aviary told him birds had been poisoned twice in the past month.

Two were poisoned the first time and four the second time, though the aviary employee was able to nurse the group of four birds back to health at his home.

Mr Stevens was offering a $200 reward for information leading to the offenders.

"What do people get, getting their rocks off doing that to birds?" he asked.

"They don't do any harm, it just gives people pleasure seeing them.

"It's really disappointing - what's a poor swan done?"

He said the latest aviary poisoning was two and a half weeks ago. "If they want something big to pick on, come and visit me," he said.

"I would love to see these guys nailed."