Man Dies Following Swan Attack

An Illinois town not far from Chicago remains in shock following a deadly animal attack. Thirty-seven-year-old Anthony Hensley was working at the Bay Colony Condominiums in Des Plaines when an angry swan began frantically swimming after his kayak. The father of two was in charge of looking after the birds to help drive away unwanted geese, but he must have gotten too close to the particular swan’s nest.

During the chase, his kayak tipped over, and while trying to fight the swan off, Hensley dipped below the water. By the time emergency rescuers arrived, there was nothing that could be done. According to The Chicago Sun-Times, an autopsy later confirmed drowning as the official cause of death, leaving his family to pick up the pieces and wonder what exactly happened.

We’ll never know exactly what went through Hensley’s mind as he was being attacked, but his father-in-law George Koustogliannis is convinced the lifelong love of animals his daughter’s husband had ultimately played a central role.

Swans are often thought of as symbols of love and devotion, but under the right circumstances, they can be very territorial. It’s unclear whether animal control has identified the actual swan that started the altercation, but given Hensley’s history of close work with animals, one would suspect he wouldn’t want to see the bird punished.

Pop Blend’s thoughts go out to the victim’s entire family.