Swan Dead After Catapult Shooting at Cwmbran Lake, Wales 2026

Key Points

• A swan died after a catapult shot a ball into its neck at Cwmbran Boating Lake in Wales.
• Gwent Police said that officers were called to the lake on Llantarnam Way on Tuesday November 3.
• Volunteers from Swan Rescue South Wales carried the injured swan to a clinic.
• Veterinarians removed two ball bearings from the swan’s neck.
• The swan was later put down because of the severity of the swan’s injuries.
• Gwent Police are investigating, patrolling the area and reviewing CCTV footage.
• Torfaen Council said that intentionally harming or killing wildlife is an offence and warned that those responsible could face legal action and severe penalties.
• Police have asked anyone with information to contact them on 101 by message on Facebook or X or, through their website quoting log number 2600359720.

Wales (Wales Times) November 05, 2026 – A swan has died after being shot in the neck with a catapult at Cwmbran Boating Lake, a popular waterside location in south Wales. The bird was found injured on Tuesday, November 3, and later put down after veterinary staff removed two ball bearings from its neck.

As reported by WalesOnline, authorities were alerted to the injured swan at the lake on Tuesday. Volunteers from Swan Rescue South Wales transported the bird to a veterinary clinic for treatment, where clinicians found and removed two ball bearings lodged in its neck.

Despite the intervention, the swan’s injuries were assessed as too severe for it to recover. The bird was humanely euthanised, according to statements issued by Gwent Police and reported by WalesOnline.

The incident has prompted an investigation and a public appeal for information. Gwent Police said local officers are patrolling the vicinity and examining CCTV footage to establish what happened.

What happened at Cwmbran Boating Lake?

Gwent Police said officers received a report of an injured swan at Cwmbran Boating Lake, on Llantarnam Way in Cwmbran, on November 3.

In a statement provided to WalesOnline, a police spokesperson said: “Officers are investigating following report of injured swan at Cwmbran Boating Lake, Llantarnam Way, Cwmbran, on Tuesday, November 3.”

The spokesperson added that volunteers from Swan Rescue South Wales took the injured swan to a veterinary clinic for care. “Two ball bearings were removed, and sadly, the swan was humanely euthanised,” the spokesperson said.

Torfaen Council also confirmed the circumstances of the incident. A council representative said a swan at Cwmbran Boating Lake had been shot in the neck with a ball bearing fired from a catapult.

Why was the swan put down?

The swan was put down after veterinary staff concluded that the extent of its injuries meant it could not be saved. WalesOnline reported that the severity of the damage caused by the ball bearings led to the decision to euthanise the bird.

Torfaen Council said:

“Regrettably, the severity of its injuries necessitated that the swan be put down.”

The council did not identify a suspect and no arrest has been reported in connection with the incident. Gwent Police have said their investigation remains ongoing.

What are police doing to find those responsible?

Gwent Police said officers are investigating the report and have increased patrols around the area. The force also said it will review CCTV footage as part of efforts to clarify the events surrounding the swan’s death.

Police have appealed for witnesses or anyone with relevant information to come forward. The force said information can be provided by calling 101, sending a direct message through Facebook or X, or contacting officers through its website.

Anyone contacting police has been asked to reference log number 2600359720.

What have authorities said about wildlife harm?

Torfaen Council described the incident as distressing and said wildlife is protected by law. The council warned that intentionally harming or killing wildlife is a criminal offence and said those found responsible could face legal action and severe penalties.

In its statement to WalesOnline, the council said:

“Intentionally harming or killing wildlife constitutes a criminal offence and will not be accepted.”

The council added:

“Wildlife is safeguarded by law, and individuals found culpable may face legal action and severe penalties.”

Has catapult use against wildlife been reported before?

The death follows earlier reports of catapult-related attacks on wild birds in the Cwmbran area. As reported by WalesOnline and later discussed on BBC Morning Live, Gwent Police previously received a report of three young boys using catapults against wildfowl and ducks near Two Locks Road in Cwmbran on December 31.

In that earlier case, officers attended the area to search for the boys but did not locate anyone matching the description. Gwent Police said enquiries were ongoing at the time.

Elsewhere in Wales, South uk/police/">Wales Police investigated a series of incidents involving swans along the Neath area in 2025. The BBC reported that Swan Rescue South Wales linked the incidents to at least five swan deaths and said one bird appeared to have been shot in the head with an air rifle, while another had reportedly had a brick thrown at it.

The BBC also reported that Swan Rescue South Wales received about 190 calls that year, with around 10% relating to what the charity described as violent assaults on swans.

What is known about catapults and wildlife crime?

Catapults and slingshots have been raised in UK discussions about wildlife crime because they are inexpensive, widely available and can cause significant injury to animals. A parliamentary briefing cited by Labour MP Nia Griffith said evidence indicated catapults were increasingly being used to injure or kill wildlife, damage property and intimidate rural communities.

The briefing, titled Tackling Wildlife Crime: Protecting Communities from Catapult & Slingshot Offending, said wildlife rescue centres had reported rising numbers of injured and killed animals, including swans, hedgehogs, squirrels and domestic pets.

In the Cwmbran case, police have not said who fired the catapult, when precisely the swan was struck, or whether any weapon has been recovered. Those details remain part of the ongoing investigation.

Background of the development

Cwmbran Boating Lake is a well-used public lake in Torfaen, south Wales, and is among local locations where swans and other wildfowl are commonly seen. The South Wales Argus has previously published photographs of swans at the lake taken by members of its Camera Club.

Swan Rescue South Wales is a volunteer-run animal welfare organisation that rescues and rehabilitates injured swans. The charity was previously involved in responding to reports of violent attacks on swans in the Neath area, where it reported multiple fatalities to police.

The latest incident comes amid wider concern about attacks on swans and other wildlife. In a separate case reported by the BBC in October, a swan found in Newbury was found to have three airgun pellets lodged in its body; Swan Support said the bird survived and underwent surgery.

Under UK law, swans and other wild birds receive legal protection, and authorities have repeatedly stated that deliberately injuring or killing them can lead to prosecution. Torfaen Council reiterated that position following the Cwmbran swan’s death.

Prediction: How this may affect Cwmbran residents

For Cwmbran residents and lake visitors, the investigation is likely to increase attention on wildlife safety around Cwmbran Boating Lake in the coming days. Gwent Police’s patrols and CCTV review may reassure some visitors, while also encouraging witnesses who saw suspicious activity near the lake to contact officers.

Local wildlife volunteers may face additional demand for rescue support if residents report injured birds or suspicious behaviour more quickly. The incident could also prompt greater public awareness that reports involving injured swans should be passed to specialist rescue groups and police rather than handled by members of the public.

For Torfaen Council and Gwent Police, the case may increase pressure to maintain a visible presence at the lake and to identify anyone responsible. If CCTV or witness evidence leads to a suspect, the case could result in prosecution under wildlife protection laws, as the council has warned.