I cannot say for certain where my own love for swans originated. Swans have been loved for millennia by kings, queens, regular people, and peasants alike. Swans have been the subject of art and a symbol of grace and beauty, not to mention one of the most beloved ballets of all time – Swan Lake. And let us not forget the immortal story of The Ugly Duckling.
Here in North America, we have two swan species that are native – the Trumpeter swan (which was nearly hunted to extinction) and the Tundra swan (formerly known as the Whistling swan.) We have a growing population of Eurasian Mute swans. Swans, like nearly all bird species, mate in the springtime. During that time they will defend their nest; and after their cygnets have hatched, they will, sometimes confrontationally, defend their family. I often receive phone calls this time of year about aggressive swan behavior, injured swans, or swans that are in need of rehoming. These are almost always Mute swans, or occasionally Black swans that are indigenous to Australia. The Mute swans and the Black swans are somewhat domesticated and they are the ones that are usually seen in parks and on private ponds. If the cygnets are not promptly pinioned or wing clipped, they will fly off the following spring when the parents kick them out. Each spring, bonded pairs will attempt to nest and produce another brood, so it is not difficult to understand how the wild populations of Mute swans have blossomed.
Like wolves and coyotes; however, Mute swans have taken the brunt of human animosity towards other species, especially along the eastern and the western seaboards. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, joined by state wildlife agencies, have tried to enforce the extermination of Mute swans for the past twenty years. While I have never had to witness this firsthand, I was shocked to read that two Mute swans were recently shot in Sandy Creek, New York. Many of the residents were understandably disconcerted over the shooting. The state’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) claims that kayakers were being chased and intimidated by the swans. This makes me furious. Kayaking is a human sport that is engaged in for only a few hours a week at most. Swans are mostly docile creatures except for the few months in spring when they are nesting and caring for their young. What makes boaters and sports enthusiasts think that they are more entitled to a body of water than the swans, who are only trying to raise a family and whose very survival depends on having a pond or lake? It is their home. If human beings do not learn to respect other species that we share this planet with, and if they do not give up their selfish ways, we will all be doomed.
