River Cam swan that was beaten and shot in the face, recovering

The swan had been brought in on Monday after suffering “a colossal beating from a territorial swan” along the river Cam in Cambridge.

The sanctuary said the “bulk of his injuries” came from the other swan, and that the corrosion suggested the ball bearing had been lodged in his airway for “some time”.

A scan revealed no further metal in the swan’s body.

Chair of Trustees Graham Porter described the situation as “shocking”, and said: “We don’t see much evidence of vile acts such as catapults and shootings compared to our friends in the south and the north of the country.”