The New York State's Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently released a draft management plan for dealing with the population of mute swans in the state.
The original plan proposed by the DEC in 2013 suggested eliminating the entire swan population in the state and oiling of eggs so that chicks cannot hatch. A similar plan has been deployed in some other states as a measure to control the mute swan population.
However, due to an outcry from animal activists groups in New York State, the proposed plan was put on hold. The DEC has released a revised draft plan that points out at reducing the population of the mute swans using "non-lethal" techniques such as placing them in a licensed facility where population can be managed over time.
"Wildlife management can present challenges in trying to balance conflicting interests, such as when a beautiful bird has undesirable impacts," says Joe Martens, Environmental Conservation Commissioner. "This revised plan remains committed to minimizing the impacts of mute swans on wildlife dependent on wetlands for their habitats, while being sensitive to public concerns about how and where that is accomplished."
Regional methods will also be used for the eradication of the mute swan population. Local municipalities will be able to enact a plan to manage the swan population at some local parks under New York State's regulations.
Currently, there are more than 2,200 mute swans in the Hudson Valley and Long Island regions. The latest plan wants to reduce the population to about 800.
The mute swans were introduced in the U.S. as captive birds to beautify private estates in 1800s from Europe. In early 1900s, the mute swans also started nesting in the wild. Since then the population has been increasing at a steady pace.
Many people find mute swans as graceful and a symbol of love. They are also treated quite highly by many individuals; however, they can be very notorious at times.
Ecologists suggest that mute swans uproot and consume submerged aquatic vegetation, which is an important source of shelter and food for the native fish in the region.
The mute swans are also responsible for destroying the natural habitat of native geese and ducks. They pollute the water with their faeces and on many occasions they have also attacked humans.
The DEC will be accepting public comments on the latest revised plan through to April 24, 2015.
Photo: Tony Smith | Flickr
