Psycho swan smashes up eight model boats worth up to £120k on popular lake
Boat owners are at their wit's end as aggressive swan launches reign of terror on Suffolk lake
A PSYCHO swan has smashed more than £12,000 worth of model boats in a reign of terror at a popular lake.
The aggressive swan, who has even driven away ducks and geese at the Suffolk lake, regularly attacks model boats being driven on the popular tourist hotspot, leaving the local boating club at their wit’s end.
One of the swan's incredible rampages on the Needham Lake near Needham Market was caught on camera by model boat club member Peter Ashford.
Mr Ashford described how it reared up over the boat, leaving the owner powerless to steer away, saying:
“He smashed it with his wings over and over again.”
“It was like the German warship Bismarck in the Second World War.
“The rudder got stuck and it kept going in circles around the swan, which made things worse."
He said boating club members never steered their boats near the lake’s wildlife but the crazed swan would come after the boats.
He said the swan eventually managed to put the boat under the water, where it sunk.
He said: “Luckily there was a flotation aid in the end, which kept it just above the water.
“A couple of boats nudged it back to shore and we fished it out with a long pole."
Eight of the intricately built boats have been "annihilated" by the bird, which is part of a pair who have four cygnets on the lake, in just a few weeks.
Attendance at the club has plunged by half as a result of the astonishing violence with more considering defecting to other clubs.
Some of the larger boats are worth up to £15,000, with many the result of months and even years of build work.
Outraged model boater Dean Cable, 23, has now even written to the Queen, pleading for the sovereign to take action after having two of his vessels attacked.
Cable, of Wickham Skeith, said he's too frightened to put his pride and joy in the water if the swan is about.
He said: “I wrote to the Queen telling her the swan is a menace and I would like him to be moved on if possible.
“I said usually I like swans, but this one was attacking our boats and I would like to be able to boat in peace.
“I told her the geese have no problem with us, the ducks seem to enjoy it and the swans we used to have at the lake were not a problem. One duck even hopped onto a barge for a ride.
"It is just this swan that is a problem and I want to see him moved elsewhere.
"I had one of my boats valued a month ago and I can tell you I don't want that swan in the water at the same time as my boat."
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Gipping Valley Model Boat club treasurer Cliff Galsworthy said: "He is a menace on the lake.
"He attacked my boat nearly straight after I put it in.
"I have spent about 10 full days trying to repair it. It took about six months to build and he just smashed it to pieces a few weeks ago.
"I have fixed most of the superstructure but I still need to do the wiring."
While the thug swan particularly dislikes sailing boats, it has also tried to attack some of the faster motor-powered ships among his victims.
Mr Galsworthy added: "He just smashes at them with his wings.
"He annihilates them, tries to get on top and sink them. If you sail within 30-50 yards of him he will attack.
"He even attacks when his cygnets are nowhere near the boats."
Club secretary Neil Hodson said: "He's attacked eight boats so far. They have all been recovered, some only just, but they suffer serious damage.
"He has been known to take off and fly to attack a boat.
"It is supposed to be a relaxing hobby but if you are scared your pride and joy will be smashed it is not so relaxing."
Mr Hodson stressed: "He is just doing what he thinks is right, it's nature.
"If he starts attacking people and children, the council are considering moving him elsewhere."
He urged people not to feed birds from the boat launch platform in a bid to stop the swans congregating there.
"It is a great facility for model boating," said Mr Hodson.
Earlier this year placards were put up at Needham Lake warning visitors about the aggressive bird, but Mid Suffolk District Council have claimed the swan is not a risk to the public.
Many visitors have reported incidents of the swan attacking dogs, while he is regularly seen targeting ducks and geese.
Boat club members also believe he has killed at least two goslings.
A Mid Suffolk council spokesman said: "Mid Suffolk was aware of reports of an 'aggressive' swan at Needham Lake earlier in the year.
"While we want everyone to enjoy the lake and the facilities it has to offer, we need to remind people that sometimes wild animals act in a manner that seems aggressive to people.
"Especially if people get too close while the birds are protecting their young.
"The swan is no longer acting in an aggressive manner and was never considered a danger to the public."
The swans at Needham Lake are mute swans and many people believe they're owned by the Queen.
However, the only swans now owned by Her Majesty are those on the Thames and associated waterways.
The bird is protected from attacks under law, making it a criminal offence to harm swans.
They are native to the British Isles.
Swans are notoriously grumpy but attacks on people are quite rare.