A cygnet police said was kicked out of the way by a runner in Richmond Park has died.
Royal Parks Police - a division of the Metropolitan Police force - have issued a further appeal for information to help catch the culprit.
The baby swan had been left seriously injured on Monday after being slammed by a jogger’s foot at around 5.30pm at Pen Ponds.
In an update on Twitter on Wednesday, officers wrote: “Sadly the Cygnet died this afternoon, his injures were too severe.
“The suspect was seen to kick another cygnet, which thankfully managed to escape to the water.
Parents of seriously injured newborn cygnet
“The jogger had a logo on his running top and is balding. “
The force informed the public of the news after finding the tiny bird and taking him to London-based rescue centre the Swan Sanctuary on Monday.
The information immediately sparked outrage.
"A jogger kicked a newborn cygnet out of his way instead of going around,” it wrote. ”Unfortunately it's not looking good for the cygnet."
Just hours before announcing the sad news, officers had updated concerned members of the public, writing that the swan was in intensive care.
“Swan Sanctuary have told us that the Cygnet is still with us, although very poorly and in intensive care,” the RPP official Twitter account posted. “His condition has not deteriorated and they are keeping their fingers crossed. They will keep their Facebook page updated.”
The Queen has a prerogative over all swans in England and Wales, where they are a protected species. It is illegal to keep or kill a swan, with fines as penalty.
The suspect has been described as a white man in his 60s, with grey hair, who is 5ft 6 inches.
At the time of the alleged incident, the jogger was wearing black running shorts and a vest.
Anyone with information is asked to call 07920586546 and quote ref 0705738/20.
