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Dozens of Swans Die Mysteriously in London Docks
23 Feb
Summary
- Over two dozen swan carcasses were found dead at West India and Millwall Docks.
- Avian influenza is suspected as the probable cause of the mass die-off.
- The Canal and River Trust is advising the public not to touch dead birds.
In a concerning development, the Canal and River Trust reported the discovery of 24 dead swans at West India and Millwall Docks over a single weekend. This incident follows the earlier discovery of additional deceased birds earlier in the week. The waterways charity has alerted the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, as avian influenza is considered the most likely explanation, although official testing is pending confirmation.
This mass mortality event is particularly worrying as swan population numbers had recently shown signs of recovery after a decline attributed to earlier bird flu outbreaks and human aggression. Officials described a grim scene, with a constant stream of dead birds being found. The Trust emphasizes that they do not yet know the definitive cause, and authorities will conduct tests. They are advising the public to report any sightings of dead birds and refrain from recovering them personally. Greater London's swan population is estimated to be around 8,500 birds.
