ANIMAL rescuers were devastated to find a swan choked to death by fishing net in a lake.

Elvis was found dead on Sunday morning at Tilgate Park in Crawley.

The much-loved cob had lived there since 2013 when he and his mate Priscilla moved in from another area.

Clare Stuart Hill, a volunteer for John Potts Swan Friends and Bird Rescue, said: “I had been feeding Elvis for three years. I last saw him on Saturday and he was fine. A friend of mine saw him in the evening and told me he was OK.

“Then I found him at about 8am on Sunday. The fishing net was tangled around his neck and wings. He must have been struggling all night and got himself more entangled.

The Argus:

“I am really upset that Elvis left us in this way. He was very popular and a lot of people loved him.

“We are very worried about Priscilla because she probably won’t be nesting. Swans mate for life and now Priscilla is on her own. We can’t punish all the fishermen, because 99 per cent are good and responsible.

“I think more needs to be done to monitor fishing at the lake where the swans live. I think fishing shouldn’t be allowed there. Fishing line can remain in the water for years but if it hadn’t been left there in the first place, this wouldn’t have happened.”

Before Elvis and Priscilla moved to the lake, a single female swan lived there. However, she had to relocate when the couple arrived.

Bill Potts, founder of the swan rescue group, said: “I got a call from Clare and we retrieved Elvis’s body. We’re really sad that Elvis is gone. Priscilla has now been left very vulnerable with no mate to look out for her and help hatch their new cygnets, that is if it actually happens, since she could be left heartbroken.

“We had always looked out for Elvis. We rescued him three years ago when he was attacked by two dogs.

“The dogs bit his body and under his wings. He was obviously spreading his wings to try to scare the dogs away. Elvis’s injuries were quite severe and we had to take him to a swan sanctuary in Shepperton for an operation.

“A lot of fishermen are good, but then you have a few irresponsible ones. I think there should be a prosecution or a hefty fine for those who leave fishing nets behind.”

A Crawley Borough Council spokesman said: “Fishing is allowed on Tilgate Lake. Most anglers are considerate of wildlife and clean up after themselves. Unfortunately, incidents like this happen when litter is left behind.

“We urge all anglers to put their litter in a bin or take it home with them to avoid further wildfowl deaths.”