Reggie the black swan, a recent addition to the picturesque British town of Stratford-upon-Avon, has been causing quite a stir. Despite initially captivating residents and tourists with his dark feathers and red nose, Reggie’s behavior took a dark turn, earning him the nickname “Mr. Terminator” from Cyril Bennis, the town’s volunteer swan warden. Reggie began disrupting the native mute swan population, intimidating males, disrupting established couples, and engaging in aggressive behavior, including attempts to mate with female swans and violence towards other swans.
As mute swans are protected by law in the U.K. and considered Crown property, Reggie’s actions were deemed unacceptable. After consulting with the Crown’s representative, Bennis decided to remove Reggie from the pond. Despite Reggie’s resistance, Bennis managed to capture him and arrange for his relocation to the Dawlish Waterfowl Centre in Devon, England, known for its black swan population.
Reggie is currently recuperating in a local enclosure, enjoying plenty of treats. Bennis, on the other hand, faces backlash from the public for removing the popular swan. Although Reggie’s eviction may have disappointed many, Bennis stands by his decision, emphasizing that there will be no return for the troublesome black swan.
