A photograph of a man suspected of taking a swan from Western Springs Park. Photo: Supplied / Facebook
A man is suspected of allegedly attacking and taking a black swan in the Auckland park at Western Springs.
In a post on Facebook, a photographer says the man entered the park from Great North Road then bent over as to feed a black swan before grabbing it by the head, beating it several times and and shoving it into what appeared to be a black sack-like bag.
The photographer said he then walked back to the Great North Road entrance with the bag in his hand.
The photographer has reported the incident to the Ministry of Primary Industries, the Auckland Council, SPCA as well as Fish and Game.
Black swans are partially protected species and can only be hunted in season according to regional limits.
Auckland Council Director for Community Rachel Kelleher told Stuff in a statement that "in no instances should members of the public be harming or killing black swan on park and reserve land without the necessary approvals."
MPI have been approached for comment.
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