UPDATE (8 April 2011): To relieve the pressure from the black swan, who has not left the nest since this incident, Melbourne Zoo and Moonee Valley City Council have decided to remove the eggs and take them to the safety of the Zoo. They are currently waiting for the swan to voluntarily leave the eggs before taking action. Teenagers are currently being questioned.

On Wednesday 6 April 2011, Wildlife Victoria received an Emergency Phone Call regarding a black swan which was clinging to life following a brutal, callous beating by what it believed to be six teenagers at Queens Park, Moonee Ponds. A witness saw the group of teenagers throwing rocks at the defenceless swan. The injuries were too great and the swan died in the arms of a member of public, before a volunteer rescuer could get there. The police were called and they are investigating the case in conjunction with the RSPCA.

This very sad situation has left behind the mate to guard over the nest and some precious eggs.

This cruelty case has rightly caused a stir through the community as this sort of treatment to our wildlife is simply unacceptable. The swan’s death also raised the contentious issue of whether the surviving swan would be able to hatch the eggs and then raise the cygnets themselves. The options were to leave the situation as it is or remove the eggs, incubate them in captivity, rehabilitate any hatched cygnets and release them into the wild at a fledgling age.

Wildlife Victoria species advisor consulted with Moonee Valley City Council, Melbourne Zoo and other wildlife groups over this issue. A consensus decision was made that it is in the best interest to the remaining swan to leave the eggs in-situ. Moonee Valley City Council will continue to monitor the situation along with concerned locals.