Yes, as disturbing as it is, nature is not the most forgiving. Swans will fight for territory, up until the death of the males and sometimes cygnets and females, but that is the way it is.

Having said this, in most cases, if one of the swans gets his rear end kicked, it is sufficient for the aggressive swan to then just swim away. The aggressor has made his point and as long as the swan being beaten keeps his distance and shows the respect afforded to the aggressor, everything will be fine. The Regal Swan