The former avian Casanova of Sefton Park, whose love life made headlines over the years, has found a new home in a wildlife sanctuary after being usurped by a younger male.
Felix the swan and his mate Fiona were well-known residents of the park for many years, and raised 54 cygnets together.
When Fiona suddenly died in June 2018, it was feared Felix would live out the last of his years alone, as the birds frequently mate for life. But in 2019 a new female, called Carmel, moved onto the pond, and the pair soon bonded.
READ MORE: Mystery and sadness over death of much-loved swan in Sefton Park
Now, after spending 12 years at the top of the pecking order, Felix's reign has come to an end after a younger male, Zeus, swooped in and took over the territory.
Andrea Ku, chairwoman of the Friends of Sefton Park, said: "A lot of people who are part of the Friends fo Sefton Park have joined because they love the nature of the park, and the swans especially. Felix had his first girlfriend, Fiona, in the park, and then Carmel - though she had now gone off with a younger male.
"It's just one of those things in nature. Felix is getting on in years and the younger one came along and has kind of taken over the territory. Swans are very territorial. Felix would have chased off other males in the past, but now he's the one being chased off."
Felix's rivalry with the new male escalated in August, when passers-by were forced to chase off Zues after he was seen attacking Felix in the pond.
In October, Felix was moved by the RSPCA to Spike Island, Widnes.
Andrea said: "The new swan tried to drown Felix, pecking at him and trying to duck him under the water. He was rescued by park visitors.
"He was moved by the RSPCA to Spike Island under the Runcorn Bridge, but he wasn't happy there. One of our volunteers saw him and he was very depressed, sitting on his own, not getting in the water and looking very unhappy."
Luckily, RSPCA officers were quick to repond to the concerns of the Friends group, and Felix has now been transferred to the Linjoy Wildlife Sanctuary in Burton-on-Trent, where he will live out his twilight years.
Andrea said: "Felix is 16 which is quite old for an urban bird. He lived in Sefton for most of his life. People do miss him, it is sad, but we're happy he's OK now."
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