Post by Decatur on Jun 7, 2006 6:12:32 GMT -5
Officials aim to silence attacks by mute swans
By Becky Manley
The Journal Gazette
File
Mute swans have attacked boaters and swimmers in parts of northern Indiana’s waterways.
Sixty-yard tackles, physical assaults and an attempted drowning.
Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water, a fowl menace has started stalking northern Indiana’s waterways, prompting officials to warn boaters and swimmers to be on the lookout for attacks.
The culprits are described as being up to 60 inches long, weighing up to 31 pounds and boasting a dreamy white wingspan of up to 94 inches.
They’re swans. Mute swans. And they’re known to be packing – attitude that is.
The feathered fiends have people squawking, leading state officials to conduct a special public meeting in North Webster tonight about the birds.
Since Memorial Day, officials have been taking reports of attacks on boaters and swimmers by these aggressive, non-native birds, said Rodney Clear, spokesman for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
One report involved a 13-year-old passenger on a boat, Clear said. A nearby swan took flight and began a relentless assault on the teen that ended only when the bird was physically removed from its victim and tossed off the craft.
A witness to another attack watched as a swan took to the air and flew about 60 yards, striking a boat passenger and nearly sending the hapless victim toppling into the water.
Finally, and most harrowing of all, is the report of an attack on a 13-year-old swimmer at Sowles Bay in the Lake James chain. As the girl swam toward shore, a mute swan landed between her and the safety of the shoreline. Then it attacked, pulling her under the water for several seconds until the girl’s father diverted the swan’s attention, allowing the girl the chance to escape.
Officials think the life jacket the girl wore may have prevented her from being drowned.
Some may scoff at the danger. After all, they’re swans. Beautiful, graceful creatures of peace, right? Others might chuckle, thinking bird assaults are funny, right?
Not so fast.
Mute swans are non-native birds that were brought to the United States in the late 1800s to decorate parks and estates. Since then, some areas now have wild populations that are devastating natural vegetation and killing native birds.
Last year in Michigan, jet skiers were the target of one particularly grumpy swan that was eventually relocated to a farm where it was brutally killed – by another mute swan. Then there’s the sobering 1982 death of an Indiana man who drowned at Glenn Flint Lake in Putnam County after being attacked by a mute swan.
Although victims from the recent attacks have suffered only minor injuries, officials want to warn water lovers to be cautious, Clear said.
By the way, none of the attacking birds were injured, Clear said.
Although nesting season might be making the birds more aggressive, Clear isn’t sure what might be prompting the attacks.
“I think it’s becoming more common because there are more and more mute swans,” Clear said.
That increasing population has led to some recent mute swan press, prompted by public protests over the killings of 10 mute swans at Blackwater Lake near North Webster. The birds were shot legally by a man who had obtained the necessary permit, although that permit was revoked after citizens complained.
Officials are seeking a permanent solution to the mute swan problem but want to first provide the public with information, prompting the Department of Natural Resources to have a meeting at North Webster tonight.
In the meantime, Clear is telling people not to tease or harass mute swans. Aside from that, he said there’s not much people can do except to be watchful.
“We don’t want birds to direct our lives on what we do in a public waterway,” Clear said.
bmanley@jg.net
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you go
What: Information meeting on mute swans hosted by the Department of Natural Resources
When: 7 p.m. today
Where: North Webster Community Center banquet hall at 301 N. Main St. in North Webster
By Becky Manley
The Journal Gazette
File
Mute swans have attacked boaters and swimmers in parts of northern Indiana’s waterways.
Sixty-yard tackles, physical assaults and an attempted drowning.
Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water, a fowl menace has started stalking northern Indiana’s waterways, prompting officials to warn boaters and swimmers to be on the lookout for attacks.
The culprits are described as being up to 60 inches long, weighing up to 31 pounds and boasting a dreamy white wingspan of up to 94 inches.
They’re swans. Mute swans. And they’re known to be packing – attitude that is.
The feathered fiends have people squawking, leading state officials to conduct a special public meeting in North Webster tonight about the birds.
Since Memorial Day, officials have been taking reports of attacks on boaters and swimmers by these aggressive, non-native birds, said Rodney Clear, spokesman for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
One report involved a 13-year-old passenger on a boat, Clear said. A nearby swan took flight and began a relentless assault on the teen that ended only when the bird was physically removed from its victim and tossed off the craft.
A witness to another attack watched as a swan took to the air and flew about 60 yards, striking a boat passenger and nearly sending the hapless victim toppling into the water.
Finally, and most harrowing of all, is the report of an attack on a 13-year-old swimmer at Sowles Bay in the Lake James chain. As the girl swam toward shore, a mute swan landed between her and the safety of the shoreline. Then it attacked, pulling her under the water for several seconds until the girl’s father diverted the swan’s attention, allowing the girl the chance to escape.
Officials think the life jacket the girl wore may have prevented her from being drowned.
Some may scoff at the danger. After all, they’re swans. Beautiful, graceful creatures of peace, right? Others might chuckle, thinking bird assaults are funny, right?
Not so fast.
Mute swans are non-native birds that were brought to the United States in the late 1800s to decorate parks and estates. Since then, some areas now have wild populations that are devastating natural vegetation and killing native birds.
Last year in Michigan, jet skiers were the target of one particularly grumpy swan that was eventually relocated to a farm where it was brutally killed – by another mute swan. Then there’s the sobering 1982 death of an Indiana man who drowned at Glenn Flint Lake in Putnam County after being attacked by a mute swan.
Although victims from the recent attacks have suffered only minor injuries, officials want to warn water lovers to be cautious, Clear said.
By the way, none of the attacking birds were injured, Clear said.
Although nesting season might be making the birds more aggressive, Clear isn’t sure what might be prompting the attacks.
“I think it’s becoming more common because there are more and more mute swans,” Clear said.
That increasing population has led to some recent mute swan press, prompted by public protests over the killings of 10 mute swans at Blackwater Lake near North Webster. The birds were shot legally by a man who had obtained the necessary permit, although that permit was revoked after citizens complained.
Officials are seeking a permanent solution to the mute swan problem but want to first provide the public with information, prompting the Department of Natural Resources to have a meeting at North Webster tonight.
In the meantime, Clear is telling people not to tease or harass mute swans. Aside from that, he said there’s not much people can do except to be watchful.
“We don’t want birds to direct our lives on what we do in a public waterway,” Clear said.
bmanley@jg.net
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you go
What: Information meeting on mute swans hosted by the Department of Natural Resources
When: 7 p.m. today
Where: North Webster Community Center banquet hall at 301 N. Main St. in North Webster
