Two swans who survived a sickening cross bow attack in the Black Country have now been reunited.

The birds lost their cygnet when thugs fired at them from close range in Wednesbury, shooting metal tipped darts which lodged in their flesh.

The cygnet was found dead beneath the male swan’s wing.

The swans had been taken to different rescue centres following the attack over the bank holiday weekend, but were reunited yesterday thanks to Jan Harrigan, who runs the Wychbold Swan Rescue Centre in Droitwich.

“Swans mate for life,” she said. “It’s very important that they were brought back together and they were certainly pleased to see each other. Hopefully we will be able to release them somewhere around here.”

Read more in the Express & StarTwo swans who survived a sickening cross bow attack in the Black Country have now been reunited.

The birds lost their cygnet when thugs fired at them from close range in Wednesbury, shooting metal tipped darts which lodged in their flesh.

The cygnet was found dead beneath the male swan’s wing.

The swans had been taken to different rescue centres following the attack over the bank holiday weekend, but were reunited yesterday thanks to Jan Harrigan, who runs the Wychbold Swan Rescue Centre in Droitwich.

“Swans mate for life,” she said. “It’s very important that they were brought back together and they were certainly pleased to see each other. Hopefully we will be able to release them somewhere around here.”A walker found the swans huddling for shelter near their nest just off Farmer Way.

The man said: “They had these darts sticking out of them. It was obviously done from pretty close range. One had gone into the female swan’s side about four inches deep.”

Ward Councillor Elaine Costigan said she would be lobbying Trading Standards to launch an investigation into where cross bows are on sale. She said: “I don’t think parents are aware that children are buying these weapons, sold as toys, and going out with the intention of harming animals.”