Three teenagers in New York have been arrested for allegedly killing and eating a swan cherished by the local community. Guardian reported. The female swan, named Faye, who has lived in the pond for more than ten years, was killed in Manlius, a suburb of Syracuse. Her four babies, called cygnets, were also reported missing after a Memorial Day parade.
When their disappearance sparked concern among locals, police began investigating the matter, leading to the discovery of two cygnets in a nearby store in Salina, Manlius police posted on Facebook.
One of the teenagers was an employee of the unknown store and confessed to kidnapping the swan and cygnets along with two other people. The two other cygnets were found in a private home in Syracuse, police said.
“Unfortunately, the investigation led to the discovery that Faye, the female swan, had been killed over the weekend,” police said.
Sergeant. Ken Hatter said the teens sneaked into the pond area in the middle of the night and pounced on the bird while she was nesting. After the kill at the pond, the swan was taken to one of their aunts’ house where it was cooked.
“The swan was killed at the pond and then eaten by family and friends. This was not done because the family had no food. It was done because they wanted to hunt what they thought was a large duck,” Mr Hatter said. CBS news via email.
Three suspects, aged between 16 and 18, were arrested on charges including grand larceny and criminal mischief, as well as conspiracy and criminal trespass. The two youths were later released to their parents and given tickets to appear in court. The third, who is 18, is awaiting arraignment.
Meanwhile, the cygnets are currently being cared for by a biologist, who cares for the swans’ health and well-being for the village of Manlius.
The village of Manlius is known for its pond and swans, according to Syracuse.com.