Popular swans could be ‘killed with kindness’ by visitors feeding them at Yorkshire beach

One cygnet – apparently fearless because of human contact – has been attacked by dog, while others not learning to live properly in wild

Swans off Whitby Beach (RSPCA)

Visitors feeding baby swans at a popular North Yorkshire seaside resort risk "killing them with kindness", the RSPCA has warned.

The cygnets have become a much-loved attraction at Whitby Beach, drawing large numbers of people to look at them.

But well-meaning animal-lovers leaving bread and other food could be stopping the babies from learning how to live in the wild, leaving them vulnerable as they move into adulthood.

At least one swan – apparently fearless because of the extensive human contact – has been attacked by a dog, the RSPCA suggested.

Claire Little, an inspector with the charity, said: “It is lovely that people are taking such an interest in these beautiful birds and trying to give them food – but they are at real risk of not learning how to cope by themselves.

"We’re very concerned for these swans, who are currently in danger of potentially being killed with kindness.

"We are urging the public not to feed or interact with these wild animals as they are losing their natural wariness of humans."

She added: “While the swans continue to be fed by the public, there’s no incentive for them to move themselves to a safer, more appropriate location where they can relearn their natural behaviour and find their own food.

“Bread is not appropriate food for swans; instead, they should be foraging in lakes and streams for aquatic vegetation, molluscs and small fish, frogs and worms.”

She said: “The kindest thing we can do for these gorgeous birds is to leave them alone, which will encourage them to move on.”