Watch: Royal Swan, Owned By The King, Blocks Train Tracks In London

The commuters at London’s Bishop Stortford station faced a delay of over 15 minutes after a swan jumped onto the train tracks and disrupted the services. Thankfully, the bird flew away after 15 minutes and the regular train service continued. This incident took place on January 30. This incident is one of several incidents where swans have disrupted train services in the UK. Unlike other birds or animals, swans are specially protected species in the UK. All ‘unmarked’ swans in the UK are considered the property of the monarchy. Injuring or taking a swan can amount to theft against the UK’s monarchy and this is why common people and even authorities hesitate to use force with the ‘royal’ birds. Additionally, harming a swan is a wildlife-related offence.

The British Crown has owned swans since the 12th century, reportedly as an attempt to protect them from poachers. In the heydays of the monarchy, it was ordained that only the wealthy could keep swans. These swans would have small marks or nicks on their beaks to mark their ownership. All unmarked automatically became royal property. Even today only the King or Queen of the UK is allowed to eat a swan, but swans are no longer eaten or served at banquets. The UK monarch also holds the title of “Seigneur of the Swans”.

Now a video of THE swan’s little stroll on the tracks of Bishop Stortford station as onlookers watch helplessly is raking in likes on social media.

Many people are criticising the British for still following outdated laws related to the monarchy. Commenting on the above-mentioned video, an Instagram user wrote, “If it was a cow blocking road in India it would be considered as Height of Backwardness although Cows are moved to other side of the road in India but these Anglicised guys would still be yapping about it but are dead silent when something like this happens in UK. Lol Stop your train because SWAN can’t be touched. People who lecture India on superstitions are absent here.”

Another person joked, “Boss: why are you late? Me: A duck stood in front of my train.” An Instagram user praised this law and remarked, “It’s a good “law” that protects these silly birds because they’re a bit delicate and dumb. You shouldn’t go near a Swan anyway they are aggressive, and they can actually injure you. Big fan of this law.”