Cooper Park pond update - 25 March 2026
We are saddened to hear that a swan rescued at Cooper Park pond in Elgin over the weekend had to be put to sleep due to ill health. The cause of the illness is unknown. There are many possible reasons as the Scottish SPCA has recognised, and no confirmed evidence linking it to ongoing work at the pond. We recognise, however, that the incident has caused concern and we wanted to provide clarification on why the work is taking place, and the steps being taken to protect wildlife.
With that in mind, we wanted to provide more details on the work being carried out and the reasons for it. While some of the more visible elements of the project may appear to be improvements for public use, the primary focus is the long-term health of the pond and the wildlife that depends on it. Over many years, the pond has experienced significant deterioration, including the build-up of silt, reduced water movement and weakening of the pond walls. Without action, these problems would continue to worsen and ultimately undermine its ability to support a healthy natural environment.
Draining the pond was an essential step to allow this work to be done safely. This is standard practice and has been carried out successfully several times before. It allows access to remove accumulated sludge, stabilise the pond bed and repair collapsing structures. All of these steps are required to address long-standing issues.
Before work began, ecological specialists assessed the site and advised on how to minimise disruption to wildlife. Based on this guidance, it was expected that the swans would move to new locations when water levels dropped. Their return was not anticipated, but the behaviour of animals is difficult to predict. Once this happened, additional measures were put in place, including safe exit routes, deterrents to prevent nesting and increased monitoring. The Scottish SPCA continues to provide support where needed.
The next phase of work, including clearing the remaining sludge and the installation of fences, will begin shortly. We expect that the pond will be refilled in June, once the essential repairs are complete. We will continue to monitor the site – including the return of the remaining swans - closely and follow ecological advice throughout the remaining phases of the project.