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A swan that was attacked and driven out of the water by other swans in Richmond Park was rescued by rangers last weekend.

The young cob (male swan) had flown from its home in Wimbledon on Saturday, October 10 to Pen Ponds, the spot where sadly one of its cygnets had died some years ago.

When it came under attack by the resident pair of swans, two Volunteer Rangers were thankfully on hand to rescue it from where it had been forced onto land.

Steve Read and fellow ranger Deborah Ballantyne told Richmond Nub News in a video interview at the scene why they had intervened. Watch it at the top of this page.

"We are just waiting from someone from the Swan Sanctuary to come and collect this swan that has been attacked by the resident pair of swans on Lower Pen Pond," said Steve.

"The incumbent pair exhibited normal territorial behaviour, fighting off 'challengers'. But it can be quite distressing to witness.

"The young swan has been driven into the bracken, where he is quite exposed. There are so many dogs around, he is vulnerable."

The rangers alerted the sanctuary, whose rescuers came and collected the young swan. Luckily, it had escaped injury and was reunited with its mate and five cygnets on Queens Mere, Wimbledon Common.

"Ann Aitken-Davis, one of the legendary rescuers from the Swan Sanctuary kindly did the repatriation for us," said Steve.

Initially it was thought that the swan, which was on its own, had no mate.

But from its tag number rescuers were able to match the swan to its family in Wimbledon.

Ann explained that swans often fly their cygnets to new unoccupied ponds.

"It seems the entire family flew out to Richmond on Saturday morning - mum, dad and five cygnets," said Steve.

"They all returned to Queens Mere apart from the young cob, who then came under attack and was driven out of the water into the bracken."

Poignant return to Pen Ponds

There is a very poignant reason why the swan family flew to Pen Ponds in Richmond Park.

Swans often stay with their mate for life, and the pair bred there years ago, sadly losing their cygnet.

After moving to Queens Mere and successfully breeding, at the weekend they returned to Lower Pen Pond, which was 'vacant' until another pair of swans took up residence there recently.

"Familiarity seems to be the draw, along with the wrong assumption that the pond was available," said Steve.

"The team has a fantastic team of wildlife officers who keep an eye on all the park's creatures great and small,' explained Steve.

"We, the Volunteer Rangers, are around to chat with the public. It just so happens that I have been known to grapple with the odd swan and goose from time to time!

"When Deborah and I saw what was happening on Pen Ponds we intervened only in order to stop further fighting with the resident swans."

Deborah added: "It's fantastic to hear the family have been reunited. The best outcome."

All about the Volunteer Rangers

The Volunteer Rangers were introduced to Richmond, Bushy and Greenwich parks last year as part of a three-year pilot.

The rangers, who wear distinctive, bright orange uniforms, give up their time to educate and inform visitors to the parks.

That includes explaining the dangers of feeding deer and the need to keep a 50 metre distance from these magnificent wild animals.

Volunteers are happy to share facts about the parks' history and help people get the most out of their visit.

Volunteer Ranger Deborah Ballantyne said: "I want everyone to enjoy themselves and I am here to educate and increase the enjoyment."

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