Popular Holyrood Park swan Sally feared dead

A POPULAR swan often seen with her mate in Holyrood Park has 'most likely' been eaten by a fox, rangers said.

Sid and Sally on Dunsapie Loch.

Sally, who has been living with her mate Sid for at least 16 years on Dunsapie Loch, vanished more than a week ago.

Experts have predicted Sid will continue living at the loch, as it is his territory, and will try to attract a new female.

A spokesman for Historic Environment Scotland said: “Our Holyrood Park rangers have received a small number of inquiries regarding the pen, or female swan, of a bonded pair of swans on Dunsapie Loch. Unfortunately, we suspect the pen was killed by wildlife, this was most likely to have been a fox attack.” Sid was badly injured in a dog attack in 2009. At the time, it had been feared that Sally would find a new mate but she was reunited with her partner weeks later after waiting for him.