Plans to destroy eggs on River Cam to stop swan attacks

A government advisory body is considering plans to destroy swan eggs along the River Cam to stop people being attacked by the birds.

There have been several instances of swans behaving aggressively towards people on the Cambridge river, which is popular among rowers and tourists. The most notorious swan, nicknamed, Mr ASBO, was moved to a more remote location in 2012 to stop him harassing people.

Natural England has suggested using the techniques of ‘egg oiling’ or 'egg pricking' to kill embryos, reducing numbers of swans on the Cambridge river at busy times.

Egg oiling involves coating eggs in liquid paraffin, which blocks its pores and starves the embryo of oxygen. Pricking involves piercing an egg with a pin.

Cam Conservators, who control the river, this summer tried to cut numbers by moving swans away from the river this summer, but Natural England warned this would have "significant welfare implications"

River manager Jed Ramsey said he was "strongly against" oiling swans' eggs and would try to find a better solution for next year.