Drivers told to slow down after swan killed by car

DRIVERS are being urged to slow down and be extra vigilant while driving through Holyrood Park after a swan was hit by a car and killed.

Scottish SPCA officers were called to St Margaret's Loch in the park at around 4:30pm on Friday evening after receiving reports that a swan had an injured wing.

It was taken to the charity's wildlife rescue centre for treatment, but later died as a result of its injuries.

The incident has led the charity, along with the park rangers at Holyrood who carry out daily checks of the birds, to issue an appeal to drivers to take extra care when driving through the park, and alongside the loch.

Swans and other birds are congregating more frequently on the grass, in the car park and on the road due to the cold weather as the loch has regularly been frozen.

This poses extra danger for them due to the number of cars passing through the park.

Scottish SPCA ambulance driver Mairi Stewart said: "The swan had been struck by a vehicle and was clearly in distress and pain.

"I immediately transported the swan to our Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fife, but sadly its injuries were too severe to be saved, with extensive bone and muscle damage to the wing and body.

"We are urging motorists to observe the speed limit in the park and slow right down when passing the swans."

There is also concern that people feeding the birds away from the loch banks are encouraging them on to the roadside, where they are more at risk.

Signs have been put up beside St Margaret's Loch urging people to feed the swans and other birds responsibly.

Martin Gray, visitors service manager for Historic Scotland's rangers service, said: "We currently have over 70 swans in the park which are checked daily by the ranger team, and are an important part of the park's wildlife.

"Swans tend to leave their habitat only when there is a reason for them to do so – and this is often linked to feeding.

"We know that feeding the swans is popular we want people to be able to enjoy coming to the park and doing so, but it's important that this is done responsibly.

"For example, feeding by the loch banks will discourage swans and wildfowl from coming near to the road or into the car park.

"We also encourage healthy feeding practices – such as grain or a couple of slices of brown bread to maintain the overall health of the birds. Swans like humans can develop diseases and deficiencies with the wrong diet."