DNR Plans To Eradicate Mute Swans In State
Elimination Efforts Began In 2002
Posted: 6:53 pm CST January 11, 2007Updated: 10:23 pm CST January 11, 2007
MADISON, Wis. -- The Department of Natural Resources said it wants to eliminate the non-native mute swan, saying it is wreaking havoc on indigenous species.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportAt a meeting at the end of January, wildlife experts will ask the DNR board for permission to continue to kill the large white majestic swans.Sharpshooters began the elimination effort in 2002, WISC-TV reported. In addition to shooting the birds, DNR staffers are also destroying their eggs.Experts said there are about 150 mute swans in the state during the spring and summer and that an additional 600 fly in from Michigan during fall migration.The DNR said it hopes to eradicate the mute swans in the area."The current policy is to eliminate mute swans from the Wisconsin landscape, and the important thing to remember with this, though, is Wisconsin is not out in front on this policy. We are right in line with just about every other state in the Midwest and along the eastern seaboard in our goal to eliminate mute swans," said Erin Celello, a spokeswoman for the Department of Natural Resources.Mute swans were brought to America from Europe in the 1870s. Experts said the swans were meant to be just decorative waterfowl for parks, zoos and private homes.But the DNR said the aggressive and prolific swans have entered the wild and have been wreaking havoc on the habitats of others, like the indigenous trumpeter swan.The DNR said its efforts have helped bring the trumpeter swan back from virtual extinction."(Mute swans) reproduce very rapidly, and so their population quickly got out of control," Celello said. "For us to sit back and do nothing would essentially be putting the good of one species ahead of the good of many others."Celello said the issue is an emotional one for many."It is a very emotional issue because these swans are beautiful and people identify with them and enough have them on their lakes and properties," she said.Some become so attached to the nesting mute swans that they name them like pets, WISC-TV reported.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportAt a meeting at the end of January, wildlife experts will ask the DNR board for permission to continue to kill the large white majestic swans.Sharpshooters began the elimination effort in 2002, WISC-TV reported. In addition to shooting the birds, DNR staffers are also destroying their eggs.Experts said there are about 150 mute swans in the state during the spring and summer and that an additional 600 fly in from Michigan during fall migration.The DNR said it hopes to eradicate the mute swans in the area."The current policy is to eliminate mute swans from the Wisconsin landscape, and the important thing to remember with this, though, is Wisconsin is not out in front on this policy. We are right in line with just about every other state in the Midwest and along the eastern seaboard in our goal to eliminate mute swans," said Erin Celello, a spokeswoman for the Department of Natural Resources.Mute swans were brought to America from Europe in the 1870s. Experts said the swans were meant to be just decorative waterfowl for parks, zoos and private homes.But the DNR said the aggressive and prolific swans have entered the wild and have been wreaking havoc on the habitats of others, like the indigenous trumpeter swan.The DNR said its efforts have helped bring the trumpeter swan back from virtual extinction."(Mute swans) reproduce very rapidly, and so their population quickly got out of control," Celello said. "For us to sit back and do nothing would essentially be putting the good of one species ahead of the good of many others."Celello said the issue is an emotional one for many."It is a very emotional issue because these swans are beautiful and people identify with them and enough have them on their lakes and properties," she said.Some become so attached to the nesting mute swans that they name them like pets, WISC-TV reported. Copyright 2007 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
