The three fluffy cygnets captured Bathurst’s heart when they hatched about 18 months ago, but all have since died in unrelated incidents.

WIRES Central West confirmed one cygnet died of a neurological complaint and a second was found with a broken neck, but it is not known if humans were involved in either case.

Now there are fears the two adult swans still living in Machattie Park have become trapped inside the lake enclosure as they cannot get enough of a “run up” to become airborne and clear the fence.

WIRES members have already held meetings with officials from Bathurst Regional Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service to determine their next moves.

WIRES Central West secretary Christie Jarrett said the health of the swans was their top concern.

“We want to get everyone on board to find a solution,” she said.

“WIRES’ first preference is always to release animals back into the wild if we can, but the first thing to do will be to get a clean bill of health for the swans so we don’t know if they will require some rehabilitation first.

“They are native animals and they are protected, but whether it will be suitable to release them I don’t know.”

Relocation is also an option and Ms Jarrett said WIRES would try to find somewhere local if that was to be the case.

She said it was not known how long the swans had lived at the lake, but it was believed they were attracted by a ready supply of food.

“There’s no shortage of bread for them to eat and while it’s not ideal, they’re probably quite happy with it,” she said.

“But they should be eating a diet of reeds and native grasses, but they can’t get out.”

A council spokesperson said they would continue working with WIRES and National Parks to find a solution.

“WIRES has contacted council following reports from members of the public who have expressed concerns regarding the well being of the swans in Machattie Park,” the spokesperson said.

“WIRES has advised council that the Swans are in a poor condition and that the Machattie Park pond is not an acceptable environment for these animals.

“As the swans are not council’s and are classified as wild animals, the issue is being handled by WIRES and it is an issue centred on the welfare of the birds.

“Council is liaising with the Central West branch of WIRES and the National Parks and Wildlife Service in respect to providing any necessary assistance in this matter.”

The spokesperson conceded the swans were a major attraction in the park, but because they could not leave the lake enclosure they were unable to forage for natural food.

NPWS ranger Gavin Newton said National Parks was “aware of concerns around the swans and is supporting WIRES in planning their removal, assessment and potential relocation to a more suitable natural habitat”.