Bird flu fears after 25 swans mysteriously found floating dead in London canal

Volunteers started finding dead birds along a a London canal two weeks ago with avian flu being suspected as a possible reason why the 25 swans were found dead

Environmental activists are reeling from the tragic and untimely demise of 25 swans at the Grand Union Canal in West London - sparking fears of an outbreak of bird flu.

The grim scenario first came to light a fortnight ago when Samaritans commenced stumbling upon several dead swans by the Bankside stretch of the canal in Southall. As days unfolded, the death toll alarmingly surged to a staggering 25, with more casualties being uncovered further along the waterway in Northolt.

In addition to the swans, 15 geese, three ducks, two coots, and a single moorhen were found dead in what remains a baffling incident. Volunteers from Swan Support have dispatched the perished birds for expert analysis to see if they have avian flu, although they anticipate it could an answer could elude them for weeks before a reason is learned. While avian influenza is under consideration, Swan Support hasn't dismissed the likelihood of toxic substances or pollution being culpable factors.

Wendy Hermon, the Operational Manager at Swan Support, said: "Until we have answers it's really frustrating. We can't take any back to our testing centre as it could be contagious. At the moment we can't do it." She went on to express: "We're devastated. I've been working here for 30 years, and even now it's still really tough seeing the dead birds. It affects us so much, it doesn't matter how many times it happens.," reports MyLondon.

In an especially sombre revelation, she disclosed: "It's particularly hard when we find them with a ring as it means we've helped them before. We rescued one which had a fishing hook stuck in its mouth four weeks ago, but recently found it was among the swans which died."

The local group Friends of Grand Union Canal have teamed up with Swan Support to unravel the mystery, appealing for public help: "We are grateful to people who have alerted us about the many dead large birds in the canal between Alperton and Hayes. We really need the cause to be identified. It could mean there is a pollution issue that needs to be addressed urgently."