On the 7th of March, WTSWW officer, Stephanie Coates visited the reserve in the Brecon Beacons, to discover that a recently purchased water storage tank was leaking.
There were three 4mm holes pierced through the tank.
Upon examination, Stephanie discovered that the holes were angled upwards, in a randomly dispersed pattern, leading her to conclude that they were air rifle pellets.
Members of the public also informed Stephanie that they had heard gunfire the previous night.
Stephanie says, “It was worrying to think that wildlife or even a member of public visiting the reserve could have been struck.
“It is also frustrating that an expensive item, kindly funded by Welsh Government to aid our management of the reserve, was damaged by reckless behaviour.”
Allt Rhongyr is an open access reserve and was once the site of an iron age hillfort. It offers dramatic views of the Tawe Valley, and features a diverse mix of limestone grassland, acidic grassland and woodland.
The reserve is popular, attracting local people, dog walkers, and also tourists.
It is fortunate that the only victim of the attack was the water container.
If you have any information regarding this incident please contact Stephanie Coates. S.Coates@welshwildlife.org
