Plan to end Hannibal the swan's reign of terror

Hannibal has lived with his mate, “Mrs Hannibal”, and their cygnet alone on Castle Pond by Pembroke Castle in Wales since February.

When other swans accidentally end up in his territory after straying from the nearby safety of Mill Pond, which is separated by a bridge and barrage, he attacks them, volunteer rescuer Maria Evans said.

She has applied for an official licence to remove the family to carry out tests and protect the other swans. She said: “There are about 60 to 70 swans in Mill Pond and if one accidentally lands in his territory he will corner them and duck them under until they drown or get them on to a ledge and smash their feet to smithereens with his beak.

“I think he is an absolute terror but I am prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt that there could be a reason he is like this.

“When I get the licence from the Countryside Council of Wales I will remove him so we can do some research.

“It could be the water quality in his pond, there is hardly any green food for them there. Or it could be pollution, lead poisoning, or he could have swallowed a fish hook and be in pain.”

If Ms Evans receives the licence to remove him, the swan, who was dubbed “Hannibal” by Pembroke residents, will be taken to Ms Evans’s farm in Amroth, so she can carry out tests.