Cygnet killed by fishing line in the Forth and Clyde Canal

A passing resident battled to free the youngster after it got caught in the lines with its mother and sibling in Kirkintilloch last Wednesday (July 18).

However, it sadly died.

The swan’s mum was freed. However, Hessilhead Wildlife Centre say she still has part of the fishing line caught on her body.

The other cygnet, which is about two months old, was taken from the water barely breathing and was rushed to Hessilhead Wildlife Trust’s Centre in Ayrshire.

It is now doing well and the centre hopes it will make a full recovery.

Gay Christie, trustee at the centre, said: “We are hoping that there will be no permanent damage.

“The cygnet was absolutely tangled up in the line. It had line down its throat, around its body and wing and tightly round its leg.

“Any disturbance to swans is unacceptable.

“I have no problem with people fishing but they need to make sure their lines are taken away. It really is a killer yet it is so easy to avoid.”