A 31-year-old man from the Gatchina district has been detained for allegedly shooting a pair of white swans, which are protected under the Red Book. The incident occurred during a hunt, with the suspect claiming he mistook the swans for geese.

The Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region reported the arrest on June 9. A criminal case has been initiated under the article on illegal hunting.

The police received a report on April 19 about the shooting of swans on a lake near the village of Maloe Zamostye. Upon arrival, officers documented the illegal hunting of the swans and interviewed witnesses.

The injured swans were rescued and taken to a wildlife rescue center where they are currently under veterinary care.

The suspect has confessed to the crime, stating that he did not intentionally target the swans and mistook them for geese. He has expressed his willingness to compensate for the damages caused.

Initial reports indicated that one of the swans suffered a wing injury and was in serious condition, while the other was at risk of lead poisoning. Both swans survived and were transferred to the main site of the wildlife rescue center in Putilovo.