Police are investigating a potential wildlife crime after members of Marlow Rowing Club were seen ‘striking and killing’ a cygnet.

Two eight-person boats from the club were seen approaching a family of swans at speed by a “distressed” onlooker at around 7:30am on Sunday, June 9.

The oars reportedly “struck and killed” a cygnet along a stretch of the Thames through Cookham.

Witnesses told the rescue charity Swan Support that the young swan’s family then surrounded its body and moved it downstream.

Meanwhile, the rowers reportedly continued down the river, accompanied by coxes and a third safety vessel.

A volunteer for Swan Support said they believed the incident “could have been avoided” and urged local river users to “respect” its diverse and vulnerable wildlife.

Thames Valley Police was alerted to the cygnet’s death at around 7:40am on June 9, and a spokesperson said the force was “working to determine whether any criminal offences have been committed”.

A representative for Marlow Rowing Club described the death as a “regrettable accident” and said it been reported to David Barber, the King’s Swan Marker.

Adding: “We are passionate about our environment and attempt to do all we can to support it.”

Anyone with information about this incident can make a report by calling 101 and quoting reference number 43240269470.