Shocked police today appealed for witnesses after an early evening jogger callously kicked a cygnet out of his path in Richmond Park.

Tonight, the cygnet was clinging on to life as distressed carers at the Swan Sanctuary in Shepperton fought to save it from a severe head injury.

The upsetting incident happened at about 5.30pm last night (monday) at Pen Ponds.

A spokesperson for the Royal Parks police said:"A jogger kicked a newborn cygnet out of his way instead of going around."

The cygnet is currently being cared for at the Swan Sanctuary but, according to a spokesperson, the prospects of surviving are not 'looking good."

A distressed assistant at the Swan Sanctuary at Shepperton told Teddington Nub News: "This was a despicable incident, the cygnet was only three or four days old.

"It's very sad, he has suffered a significant injury after being kicked in the head - I cannot begin to understand what kind of person would do this. He could have just skipped around and gone on his way.

"I really cannot imagine that anyone would be so deliberately cruel in this way - it's heart-breaking."

The assistant, who asked not to be named said the cygnet was 'most comfortable' sitting the palm of her hand but was 'still very, very poorly." She described the injury as similar to suffering a stroke.

She said the people who saw the incident were 'quick' to alert the park authorities and managed to get the cygnet to the sanctuary to, at least, give it a chance of survival.

The cygnet has been given pain relief and anti-inflammatories in the hope that the swelling is reduced.

The police are appealing for any witnesses. The suspect is described as a white male, aged about 60 years old, 5ft 6ins, grey hair wearing black running shorts and vest.

Anyone with information should call the Royal Parks Police on 07920 586546 and quote ref 0705738/20

The assistant added that during the lockdown there had been a 'huge number' of cruelty incidents involving wildlife.