FOUR cygnets are feared drowned after a family of swans was coated in cooking oil.

Sue and Roger Hulbert, who run the South West Swan Sanctuary in Swindon, are disgusted by the attack, which took place at Peatmoor Lagoon, West Swindon.

Mrs Hulbert, 50, who also works as a park ranger at Coate Water, said: "This barbaric vandalism on innocent birds is so senseless, I can scarcely believe it. Life isn't sacred anymore."

She was called over the weekend by a woman who regularly feeds the birds and noticed two adult swans in distress.

She said: "She was appalled. The swans' feathers were yellow and reeked of vegetable oil." The swans would not enter the water because the oil stops their feathers being waterproof. It is thought their four three-week-old cygnets drowned because of the vegetable oil.

Mr Hulbert, 57, said: "The cygnets have down, not feathers. The oil would have been like a lead weight and sent them straight under. It is horrific."

After cleaning the oil from the swans' feathers, Mr Hulbert helped his wife coax them onto an island in the lake, beyond the reach of vandals.

They set up the South West Swan Sanctuary 10 years ago to cope with the increasing number of injured birds.

In March the Evening Advertiser reported the death of a cygnet, which was found with a pellet wound to the head at Coate Water. A second swan was blinded after being shot in the eye.

And scores more swans have been targeted by vandals over the past three years.

Last September a cygnet died after being mauled by two greyhounds and a border collie at Liden Lagoon. A second cygnet was left with severe injuries to its leg and side.

In May 2001, vandals smashed eggs in the nest of a swan in the Peatmoor Lagoon using planks and concrete blocks.

In August 2001 the Evening Advertiser appealed to dog owners to keep their dogs on a leash after a series of vicious attacks by pets.