City of London officials criticized people swimming in non-lifeguarded Hampstead Heath ponds where newly hatched cygnets, swans, ducklings, and chicks are present. Alderman Gregory Jones said paddling without lifeguards causes significant harm to wildlife habitats and is dangerous. Police warned they will take enforcement action, including issuing fines or making arrests. Social media footage showed swimmers paddling close to swans and a dog in the pond. Swimming is only allowed in the Mixed, Ladies’ and Men’s Ponds for safety reasons. A campaigner said non-swimming ponds are increasingly treated as beach destinations, and restricting birds to a small area makes it difficult for them to access natural food needed for survival.
"Alderman Gregory Jones said paddling in ponds without lifeguards "causes significant harm to wildlife habitats" and is dangerous. He warned people tempted to take a dip that police "will take enforcement action where necessary, including issuing fines or making arrests" as social media footage showed people paddling close to swans in the pond over the bank holiday weekend."
"They said that large numbers of people going into the shallow ponds damaged the habitat and disturbed nesting wildlife, including the swans which have successfully nested on the pond "for the first time in years". Swans of Hampstead Heath added the pond was also home to some newborn ducklings and chicks. They warned: "Restricting these birds to a small section at the back of the pond makes it incredibly difficult for them to access the natural food they need to survive.""
"Jones said: "The recent conduct of some visitors swimming in non-lifeguarded ponds is utterly appalling." He added that swimming was only allowed in the Mixed, Ladies' and Men's Ponds for safety reasons. One eyewitness who saw the crowds on Bank Holiday Monday, when temperatures in London reached 34.8C, told the BBC there were "massive no swimming signs which were ignored"."
"Footage posted on social media also showed a dog in the pond. Dogs are banned from the water through a Hampstead Heath by-law. The heath is patrolled by Hampstead Heath Constabulary, which enforces by-laws, the City of London Corporation said."
#wildlife-conservation #public-safety #hampstead-heath #enforcement-and-by-laws #swans-and-waterfowl
Read at www.bbc.com
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