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Catapults and poaching mar beautiful Dunorlan Park in Tunbridge Wells

Dunorlan Park in Tunbridge Wells is one of the most beautiful places you could hope to visit, but it is not without its problems.

The Friends of Dunorlan Park have issued an appeal to park users to both be on their own best behaviour and to report anti-social behaviour by others in the park to the police.

Dunorlan Park in Tunbridge Wells
Dunorlan Park in Tunbridge Wells

It follows an incidence of teenage boys using catapults to shoot stones at wildlife on the lake and the sighting of a man with hunting dogs poaching rabbits on the park's events field.

In the most recent case, an Egyptian gosling was found dead with evidence suggesting it had been killed by a dog that had been allowed to run free from its lead. Egyptian Geese, which were believed to be sacred by the Ancient Egyptians, are rare in Brtain with only an estimated 1,100 breeding pairs in the country.

Joan Hamilton-Smith said: "Our 78 acres of parkland are so precious to so many people.

"But unfortunately there is a minority who think that rules and regulations don't apply to them."

If anyone sees anti-social behaviour they should report it to the police on 101.

Egyptian geese
Egyptian geese

If they spot anyone poaching with dogs, they should call 999 as this is a notifiable offence.

The police will also be grateful for any photographs you can take without putting your own safety at risk.

Dog owners are warned that loose dogs not only cause distress to the wildfowl, but can also put their own pets' safety at risk if they go into the lake.

The water is covered with algae that can be toxic to dogs if ingested.

Mrs Hamilton Smith said: "Enjoy the park, but observe the rules - and take your rubbish home with you."

A view of the Grecian temple in Dunorlan Park
A view of the Grecian temple in Dunorlan Park

Read more: All the latest news from Weald

Read more: All the latest news from Tunbridge Wells

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