Safe havens are wanted where disabled swans can be re-housed

East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS) said it had received 69 calls so far in 2004 compared to 44 in 2003 and 36 in 2002.

The WRAS said the incidents included swans caught in fishing lines, covered in oil, run over or shot.

The service said it has only coped with the casualties thanks to the Swan Sanctuary based in Egham, Surrey.

Orphaned cygnets

Trevor Weeks, from the WRAS said: "We have been dealing with swans and working on behalf of the National Swan Sanctuary for the past six years and I am amazed at this increase."

The past two years have seen an increase in the number of swan attacks and the birds crash landing either on roads or after hitting power lines, the service said.

Other incidents include swans suffering from botulism, with injured legs or wings orphaned cygnets.

Despite help from the Egham centre, the WRAS said spaces at the sanctuary were running out as it struggles to find places for disabled swans.

The sanctuary said it needed to find safe havens to release the birds in the southern counties so the birds can be rehoused and live in peace.

Mr Weeks said unlike some other wild birds, swans were quite happy to be released on private lakes.