Michigan officials are asking residents to help shoot and kill 13,500 mute swans.
Photo: Karen Stamper
But before hunters and fearful lakefront property owners grab their rifles, defenders of the birds are asking for more research to spare the lives of these lake dwellers.
One issue is whether there could be confusion with the swans that are native to Michigan.
“It makes no sense that these swans can’t coexist. The mutes have been here so long and people like feeding and watching them,” said Karen Stamper, a Walled Lake resident and mute swan advocate. “We have more water in our state than most other places in the world.”
Efforts to achieve the state’s long-term goal of killing the birds by 2030 have begun. State employees have killed some and they are letting residents know that with a permit, they can do the same.
All the Great Lakes states report problems with an increase in mute swans that displace native swans and other species, destroy wetlands and even intimidate boaters. Wisconsin and Ohio have killed mute swans in recent years; Michigan has the most ambitious plan yet to kill mute swans.
Michigan also has the largest mute swan population in North America with 15,500, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
The mute swan is non-native to North America and is increasing in population 9 percent to 10 percent each year, which is causing some big problems, according to Barbara Avers, a waterfowl and wetlands specialist from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
They were brought to the U.S. from Europe in the 1800s for their beauty. Some escaped captivity, establishing populations in several states. Michigan’s population began with one pair in Charlevoix County in 1919, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
One of the biggest problems: Mute swans’ aggression toward humans is increasingly dangerous for people in boats and on shore, Avers said.
“They are considered the most aggressive waterfowl species in the world,” Avers said. “So as we see an increase in the species, we are also seeing an increase in reports about mute swan attacks.”
Although most of the hostile behavior directed at people is bluffing, mute swans can inflict cuts, bruises, sprains and bone
Photo: Michigan.gov
fractures. In at least two cases on the East Coast, mute swan attacks resulted in human deaths, according to David Marks, a wildlife disease biologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Mute swans keep one of Michigan’s native swan species, the trumpeter swan, from breeding. Both favor similar habitats for breeding and the mute swan begins nesting three weeks earlier than the trumpeter, defending the entire area. The trumpeter swan is on the state’s threatened species list.
“People often say to us that the swans they see aren’t causing any problems,” Avers said.
But some of the problems go below the surface.
Mute swans eat underwater plants. They uproot them, eating far less than what they grab. That destroys the habitat for native species, especially the fish.
“If you have a large flock of mute swans feeding on this bed of vegetation you can imagine that in a pretty short time, they can do quite a bit of damage,” Avers said.
There isn’t a hunting season, but the state allows citizens to register for free permits to shoot mute swans. Such permits first became available in 2006, but with the recent goal of killing thousands of mute swans, the state is re-publicizing their availability.
Permits are also available to destroy their nests, a less efficient method of reducing the mute swan population, Marks said.
With a permit, people can remove nests and destroy mute swan eggs. Although this slows population growth, it does not stop the adult mute swans from continuing to mate.
Stamper, along with other mute swan advocates, dispute the reasons cited for killing 90 percent of the state’s mute swans.
The aggressiveness is just instinct, Stamper said. Humans act the same way when protecting their young.
“I have pictures of a red wing black bird chasing a goose that went too close to its nest,” Stamper said in a letter to a local government agency. “I have a goose going after a swan that was too close to its babies. It’s nature. The same thing happens when a hawk or crow takes a baby from a blue jay, starling, or wren. It does not matter how large or small the animal, they will go after anything that tries to harm their baby.”
Photo: Karen Stamper
She worries that lakefront owners may not distinguish one type of swan from another. Native swans could get killed during the attempt to destroy mute swans.
“If they think there is a swan out there and it shows any kind of aggression or they can’t get their jet ski out, they aren’t going to care if it’s a trumpeter or a mute,” Stamper said. “If it’s in the way, they are going to kill it.”
The most significant difference between mute swans and native swan species is that adult mute swans have orange bills and native swans have black bills. Mute swans also have a black knob on the top of their bill and native swans do not, according to the state’s website.
Although mute swan population control first began in 1960, Stamper started a petition to stop the killing in February 2011. She has received 2,000 signatures and the attention of the state.
“We realize they are a very beautiful species, they are very conspicuous, people come into contact with them a lot and love viewing them,” Avers said.
But eliminating the mute swan is for the greater good of all other things living in Michigan, she said.
Stamper doesn’t believe there has been sufficient research done in Michigan to support that position.
More Michigan-based research is coming.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services recently received funding to look into some unanswered toxicology questions about the species in Michigan, according to Marks.
The mute swans that have been killed yield useful information, Marks said.
Researchers will be testing for toxics and contaminants to see whether mute swan meat is safe to eat.
“They are not typically a species people eat but we do get asked that question,” Marks said. “If you want to manage your mute swans you can work with the DNR to get a permit and people always want to know, ‘can we eat the meat?’ and nobody here knows how it tastes yet.”
Because mute swans typically feed off the bottom of a lake, which is where pesticides and heavy metals tend to accumulate, Marks feels more research is necessary before humans consume the meat.
Some of the mute swans that have been killed are tested for influenza, Newcastle disease and parasites that cause swimmer’s itch to see if mute swans play a role in transferring these illnesses.
Invasive nonnative species are a longstanding environmental threat. The nonnative emerald ash borer is an example of an invasive species that killed thousands of trees in Michigan beginning in 2002. More recently, the nonnative feral or wild swine’s rapidly increasing population is on the state’s radar. The feral swine hosts parasites that threaten humans, domestic livestock and wildlife.
Marks expects some results from the mute swan research will be available to the public by March of 2013.
And for the people living in Michigan, perhaps mute swan will be on the dinner table by next Thanksgiving.
Shoot them all, and then start on the comorants.
damn tree huger’s
Kill’em all!!
I had one attack me in my kayak yesterday in Grand Traverse County. Now that I know there is a permit, I will hunt them down. My 2 year old loves to ride with me, and I will protect him. And I will enjoy it more knowing there is a bleeding heart association just waiting for the next band wagon to jump on. Next time I hear how beautiful they are, I am killing 4 of them.
I have not read all the data or information, I just know that we have enjoyed the presence of and watching life of 2 pairs of swans on our large marsh, back of our home. Turtles often seem to grab and eat some of the little signets, so these swans will not overpopulate, They do eat the algae and keep some of the water open that would otherwise close in.
If more game birds is really the motivation, then that is a distortion of the ideals and goals of the EPA.
Congratulations to the human race!
We now live in a society where it’s legal to KILL UNBORN HUMAN FETUSES by the hundreds of thousands because they have NO RIGHTS so it’s no surprise that we need to kill off any animal species that pose as a problem.
I live in the lakes area and I know for a fact that it’s all about the WEALTHY who use POWER and MONEY to push their own agenda. That’s not right.
What is RIGHT is standing for the TRUTH TO STAND UP FOR ALL LIVING BEINGS: ANIMAL AND HUMAN! I REST MY CASE.
If we are going to war against invasive species, why not Mute Swans? Asian carp aren’t beautiful but destructive. Zebra mussels aren’t necessarily beautiful. I don’t have a problem picking them off the rocks and throwing them into the sun to die. Are European Starlings beautiful? They take away nesting holes for our native birds, the Red-headed woodpecker and other cavity nesters. I think we should shoot all of them! Feral hogs are a great threat to the environment, and feral cats should all be shot too. Feral cats are extremely damaging to the environment and bird populations. Look at what is happening with the spread of Phragmites. Should we protect the Fire Ants too?? In my mind, Mute Swans are no different. They may be prettier than other invasives but just a damaging.
The DNR is handing out kill permits why?? Because they don’t have the funds to pay the man power needed to do things such as nest& egg destruction.
So, let’s don a nice swan feather decorated vest and hat, do a polka and celebrate the protection of animals who are meant to be here.
Just take care of the local swans with the SSS.
I have observed mute swans killing Canada geese goslings and adults. I’ve also seen them drive a pair of trumpeter swans off their nesting territory on Loud pond. This pair of trumpeters had successfully raised young on Loud pond the year before. It’s time for the mutes to go,
The mute swans are so ugly and destructive I just wish we could get rid of all of them in the state.
Any time I hear the term related to wildlife “non-native” is tends to really piss me off….I’m Native American so non-native applies to people too….should human non natives be banished? Think about it?? Leave the swans alone!!!
Riddle me this:
A crazy animal rights nut job has a pond. And on that pond, live mute swans. Every year, the number of mute swans doubles. At the end of 30 years, the pond was completely covered by mute swans.
Question: When was the pond 1/2 covered in Mute Swans?
Uh huh.
Michelle wrote: “Yea, they are great to eat Leroy. Maybe you will get one of the luck birds that digested a fishing lure and has lead poisoning. Kill two birds with one stone so to speak.”
Well there we have it.
All things beautiful should be protected, cherished and given special rights no matter what.
All things ugly, in this case me, should be killed off by ingesting sharp metal and poisoned with lead.
My children have acquired their appearance from their father. Should the same treatment apply to them?
Concerning the lead comment: I was going to suggest a study of the science of endocrine disruption. And then using our newfound knowledge we could then attempt to explain how it is possible that lead poisoned mute swans are able to proliferate at such a rate. However it is quite clear that science has no place in this discussion.
Ya’ll have a nice day.
Well, considering that Michigan has already launched a war on Canada geese, it only stands to reason the swans would not be far behind.
Will be sure never to visit this carnage-loving, bloodthirsty state, where even the people aren’t safe from murder.
Yea, they are great to eat leroy. Maybe you will get one of the lucky birds that has digested a fishing lure and has lead poisoning. Kill two birds with one stone so to speak. :)
After spending several months on my brother’s lakes in SE Michigan this past summer, I witnessed daily a mother swan on her nest in the 90 degree heat only to hatch and later lose her 4 signets to presumably bass, snapping turtles or possibly a hawk. My brother witnessed the same reduction every year, once trying to save a turtle chewed signet to no avail.
This same pair of swans who lost their young were friendly to people and to other waterfowl, bobbing in the water along the shore. My brother used to allow them to rest and nest on his lawn. They never were hostile to him, but he was wise enough never to corner them or interfere with their nesting, unlike some jet skiers who foolishly pursue the swans. Only once did he break up a fight between two male mute swans, but then more than once he had to break up mallard ducks who were killing a female.
My brother and his neighbors have over the years used herbicides to knock out the sub aquatic plants that tangle on swimmer’s legs and boat propellers and fishing lines. They spend hundreds of dollars each year on chemicals or try raking the “seaweed”. Other lake owner’s hire harvesters that spend much of the summer piling up the vegetation in the shallow waters.
I find the DNR’s reasons for killing swans flimsy – too many, hostile birds and distroyers of habitat. In all the years that my brother lived on his two lakes he never witnessed the swans as the DNR has depicted them.
It is sure good to have the 2nd Amendment right to protect my life when ever a mute swan comes near me while I duck hunt with my kayak.
And killing mute swans because they are aggressive? Check out your crime stats and get some perspective. Fifteen thousand people were murdered in 2010. 100 people die on your roads every day….and you are going to war against a BIRD! No wonder people the world over think Americans are nuts and bullies.
The reason you don’t see trumpeter swans has little to do with the mute swan and more to do with human activity. Unlike some adaptable wildlife the trumpeter swan doesn’t like being around humans, and have a very low tolerance for ANY KIND OF DISTURBANCE. Unfortunately since humans have done little to curb their own population and basically cover the land d ….get the drift.
BTW….why does anyone want to bring back the trumpeter to pre-human destruction days? For hunting. There is nothing innocent and pure about wanting to restore the trumpeter swan population.
BTW…worried about the mute destroying vegetation? That is a sad and pathetic joke and totally typical reasoning…HUMANS HAVE DESTROYED 60% of the wetlands for their own use…and now in some places are again pathetically spending BILLIONS trying to restore what they destroyed.
The best thing humans can do, if they are capable of learning a thing, is to leave wildlife alone and worry about their own population and what their activities are doing to the ecosystem. BTW…what about those deformed fish turning up in the Golf Of Mexico?
“Many species reintroduction programs around the world are not successful because of loss of habitat or a number of other limiting factors. Present day factors limiting trumpeter swan survival include: continued habitat loss; human recreational disturbances; illegal hunting; accidental shooting (mistaken for the smaller tundra swan on winter range); collisions with power lines; lead poisoning from lead shot ingested while feeding; disturbances from industry (such as forestry, oil and gas); disturbances from areas of major human habitation; and natural predation.”……humans and human activity looks to be the biggest reason for the limited trumpeter swan population. Face it…due to our population the trumpeter swan will never increase in any huge numbers. This is modern day EVOLUTION.
http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/elkisland/natcul/iii.aspx
I have no problem removing some of them from the lakes and finding homes for them. I do rescue work and am in the field constantly. I have seen many a bird with fishing line wrapped so tight the foot is dangling. I have seen birds with arrows in them still alive walking around, as well as deer for that matter. I have seen birds with fihing hooks embedded in their mouths, and I have watched many a swan die due to lead poisoning from fishing lures and lead pellets left in the lakes.I would venture to say that most of you that hate the swans, geese, ducks or any animal, have never actually taken the time to interact with them. You are probably too busy trying to get your jet ski or boat to the maximum speed on the lake and could care a less about what is on the lake with you. I have been in my kayak and have almost gone over because of the waves those things make. Some people have no respect for anything. You are the ones that don’t want to question what the DNR or other government agencies are telling us to be true. Believe what they tell you, it’s the easy way out. Why do the ones that do question what they are doing get the run-around and no proof from them to back up their claims or to get charged a hefty fee to get the information. What are they hiding? Go to a Natural Resource meeting once in a while and listen to how they promote the PURE MICHIGAN HUNT. Pay attention to the groups that attend these meetings…M.U.C.C., Ducks Unlimited, etc. The DNR is for the hunter and the fisherman and anyone that thinks differently is a fool. Their website is proof of that. They start em young:
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10363_58977-259924–,00.html
The story talks about eating the meat. Can’t wait til Thanksgiving
Does anyone know if the eggs are safe to eat. They would sure make a heck of an omelette.
it is obvious that the invaders need to be removed. maybe those in opposition of killing the invaders would be willing to donate their TIME and $$$ TO REMOVE THEM THE WAY THEY PREFER…… then try to find a place to take them….. it is so easy to talk…. lets see what they are willing to do!!! i will invest my time and $$ to hunt and remove them.
I am kinda late on this great debate so I will give reservation to the subject only to say if the mute swan is a bottom feeder I think this species is in big trouble being subjected to eat pesticides and heavy metals. Its no wonder they are aggressive.
These swans were on my mother-in-laws lake in Wisconsin, and were slaughtered for the same reasons. They used to take food right from my hand! The argument that they are aggressive is not true! Any animal will be aggressive if it is chased, bullied, relentlessly teased etc. Then the statement that they are non-native! Give me a break! They are animals, and capable of going were they want. God put them on this earth, and the government should not be playing God!
So think for a minute, the white man was non-native to America either! The white man came to America and claimed “they” discovered it! What a joke and farce the “white man” is! I am of northern European descent, and surely not native to this land!
Why is there this need to kill what “some” believe is where they should not be? Man proves over and over, that they are cruel and heartless control freaks, with the power to kill over and over again!
There are HUMANE methods to control animals, beginning with birth control, nesting control, etc.
PROTECT THE BIRDS AND BE HUMANE!
Say NO to radical gun hunters and protect the birds first, HUMANELY!
Oh, and I thought the kayaker supposedly killed by the swan fell out of his boat in cold water and didn’t have on a PFD. Death by swan? Don’t think so…
We have had an RV on a small inland lake in Livingston County for 10 years which is populated by Mute Swans. The same pair has returned repeatedly to breed over that time period. If they destroy the vegetation in lakes, why has the owner of this RV park had to hire a company to chemically eradicate the vegetation in the lake? These animals add so much to the beauty and peaceful ambiance of having a site on the water. They are occasionally aggressive toward other birds (geese) who also endeavor to breed in the park, but they are basically tame toward humans. Live and let live!
Down here, people keep buying mute swans to put in their lakes and ponds. Haven’t seen any problems with them getting along with other waterfowl or people. The problem I have seen is that the pond doesn’t have enough natural food for the waterfowl because of run off, polution, and bread thrown in the water, so, the birds are fed commercial food.
We should eliminate hunting for all species, human and non-human. Then we will live in equality and harmony forever.
The only thing that needs to be eliminated is hunting.
We need to stop the environmental domestic terrorist organizations using the mute swans as weapons of destruction.
And now we have yet another species of God’s creature that our arrogant species has targeted for mass death. The only invasive species on this planet are humans. Only our species are stupid enough to bring ourselves to extinction. DNR’s, USDA Wildlife Services, DEC’s, etc etc are in the business of mass slaughter of our wildlife. They are the wildlife nazi’s and there is a holocaust against our wildlife. It is truly amazing how ignorant so many people are who believe all the lies and propaganda these government agencies spew. There are probably aliens on another planet looking at us doubled over with laughter at how stupid we are. “There is enough for everyone’s needs but not everyone’s greed.” How true!
Losing native trumpeter swans and loons to an invasive and very aggressive mute swan is not what we need to support.
The simple fact is that mute swans are an invasive species that is detrimental to several native bird species. Decades of research have shown this to be true and accurate, both in MI and many other states. The animal rights responders have no legitimate information to dispute this, they only bring emotion charged opinions. They refuse to understand and acknowledge the ultimate devastating outcome. No amount of data will change their closed minds, no amount of reason will sway them. Their call for more research is just a delaying tactic. At some point they must be dismissed and a program of eradication begun. If they interfere with an eradication program there are laws to penalize them. Be brave DNR, you can’t satisfy everyone all of the time.
The irrationality of killing off the Mute swans is staggering, possibly only exceeded by the willingness of the Michigan public to be duped by the DNR and its utter lack of scientific data.
The Michigan DNR claims the state is being overrun by Mute swans, with a population count of 15,500 statewide. This is categorically impossible, since at no time have there ever been more than 16,000-20,000 Mute swans in the entire United States. That would be cause for alarm in most species, as it is a very low number. Furthermore, the population has remained stable at essentially the same numbers for the last 200 years. In fact, there are considerably fewer swans since 2005, when states started a jihad against them, spurred by the prospect of destroying them in order to bring in the Trumpeter swan in its place, as the next trophy animal in the bird hunting world.
Michigan’s DNR has so little state research on the Mute swans that they co-opted Maryland’s data. May I point out that Maryland is a state with no natural lakes? Michigan has over 11,000 natural lakes. May I further point out that Maryland’s data was thrown out of a federal court and called “junk science”, as it was so poorly researched and written it had no relevance. Well, here’s what Maryland DOESN’T want you to know: Maryland’s DNR has repeatedly stated that Mute swans have only a “negligible” impact on their major waterway, the Chesapeake. Then they tried to change their story and came out with claims that the Mute swans kill off eelgrass, which is used by other waterfowl. However, there have been three WORLDWIDE die-offs of eelgrass since 1900. This is a cyclical occurrence. The eelgrass can also be killed by a four degree temperature rise in the water, pollutants and, since it grows in shallow water, heavy boat usage and fast boat speeds, as well as dredging and trawling. The Chesapeake Bay has 2.5 MILLION birds go through each year. The 3,000 Mute swans, most of which were killed, were not harming anything. The “management” of our natural resources ~ animals, birds, fish, air and water ~ has played a destructive role and created the loss of great bodies of water, such as the Chesapeake Bay, which has suffered phosphorous bomb testing in the 1920s; dumping by paper companies and other industry; the development of its shoreline, with accompanying over-fertilization and thus runoff and pollutants; pig and chicken farms right on the shore, adding to that massive mix. The swans were killed off – and the Chesapeake STILL has all the problems that were blamed on the swans.
Michigan’s entire argument for killing the mute swans is essentially this: “These birds may, possibly, potentially, kind of create, maybe, some sort of problem at some point in the future, we don’t really know what or when, and we really don’t have any legitimate data supporting this, but we think it’s a good idea to kill them now, and if we can convince enough of the gullible public about this, they’ll back us up.” This is how the DNR and their crony agencies keep those nice government jobs, while you’re losing yours. There’s no science here, people.
The non-native species argument just doesn’t cut it. First of all, after over 200 years in this country, more likely 400, AND with the possibility that some did indeed migrate (Trumpeters do, and Mutes hang with them, so it is not unreasonable that some Mutes migrated along with them; they are circumboreal birds), the Mute swan is now a part of the United States, just as it is part of Canada. More importantly, since we have Europeanized most of America, we created a habitat for it that is now natural. Furthermore, very few animals and birds are totally native – the DNR and Fish and Wildlife agencies have done most of that damage themselves, catering to the hunting lobby. They are the ones who have introduced the majority of species that are not native. To take this argument even further, animals themselves are constantly migrating out of their original areas, as, again, thanks to human interference, we are altering the landscape and even climate to the extent that wildlife is adapting. In some cases, the non-native animal is even beneficial to the new environment. So the native/non-native argument is irrelevant.
The real question is, if these swans are so destructive, how come we are not hearing similar stories in the other countries where these swans live? The Mute swans have always been in Britain, France, Germany, Holland, Poland, all the former Soviet States, they migrate to India, China, the Mediterranean and northern Africa and yet NOT ONE of those countries has ever had the kind of swan problems the US Fish and Wildlife Service and DNR claim that we have here in the States. There are 20,000 Mute swans in tiny little Denmark, and 22,000 in Britain, and they have no problems. The environment and predators are similar, so what is wrong here?
The Mutes do not displace native wildlife; in fact, just the opposite is true. They help bring up SAV that other waterfowl feed on as well and generally co-exist well.
All birds are extremely territorial when nesting, especially if they have been pinioned, an obscene practice that should be outlawed. Let me mention the recent story about the man in Chicago who was killed by the swan while he was kayakking. That was a terrible, freak accident, but the fact is, NO ONE should be allowed to kayak or jetski where swans are nesting. The problem in this country is there are no educational/informational signs informing people in parks of animal behavior and how to live with wildlife. Cities and townships not only need to protect people from animals – they need to protect the animals in their jurisdiction from the cruelty and stupidity of people.
There is absolutely no reason for this vendetta against the Mute swans, and the DNR has a private agenda for why it wants to kill them. If you examine the data, is is pathetically lacking in virtually every area, from ethics to science. There is nothing here to justify this slaughter.
If there is an alternative solution to reduce and control the mute swan population I would love to hear it? According to the poll above majority of people believe that we should not kill them and find a alternative solution.
Shooting off the mute swans was the best thing our lake association ever did for our properties and the lake. Thank you to the Federal agents and DNR biologist for their help.
Lina, Killing off wildlife before all the facts are in, really?
All the Mute swan facts needed to cull the dangerous and destructive mute swans are in, period! The swanies refuse to face the facts no matter if there are a million facts supporting the culls. Mute swans are as ugly as feral hogs and phragmites needing total elimination statewide.
The DNR must walk a thin line between sportsmen/farmer/motorized recreation enthusiasts/animal rights activists/business and industry/other taxpaying interest groups and ecological best interest. Sometimes the two sides agree, and sometimes they do not. Invariably, someone is upset. I am not a DNR employee, nor am I related to anyone who is, but I sympathize with the agency’s employees to a great degree because they are always the “bad guys” to someone. I have often been frustrated by some of their decisions, but we must try to keep in mind that the DNR serves many masters.
In this case, as much as I love birds, and as much as I dislike the death of innocent animals, I agree that mute swans pose a significant and imminent threat to fragile Great Lakes ecosystems. And no, the swans themselves are not at fault — the ecosystems in which they evolved have shaped their behaviors, and the swans also impacted the evolution of those ecosystems. But remember, this process generally happens over many thousands and often millions of years. They are, unfortunately, superior competitors for resources in their new environment… again, this is not something that will “work itself out” in a few generations, at least not without devastating consequences to the populations of organisms with whom they compete, such as common loons, trumpeter swans and other water foul, and even native mammals who depend upon aquatic vegetation. Mute swans have the ability to alter ecosystems such that large-scale food web disruptions may very likely occur. Not every non-native species has this capability; those that do, however, often have severe and lasting ecological and economic consequences, and there are plenty of examples… zebra and quagga mussels, sea lamprey, feral pigs, kudzu, phragmites, etc. The mute swan, however, is incredibly beautiful and hence, tugs at our heartstrings in a way that most other invasives do not. Though it’s difficult to put aside the emotions evolked by the prospect of eliminating them, we need to look beyond these feelings and act swiftly to protect native ecosystem health and diversity. At current population levels, we can accomplish this before widespread damage occurs, but it needs to happen soon.
I only wish the federal government would act as swiftly to prevent the spread of asian carp into the Great Lakes…
I am forced to respond due to the last post. How has this issue gotten so off point that people fear Sandhill Cranes, Grey Wolves, and Moose will be exterminated by the Michigan DNR? The issue at hand is simple, Mute Swans are non-native. They do not belong here, they are not part of the ecosystem, and they are damaging the one we have in place. Any Ecology 101 class will tell you that. Mute Swans are aggressive by nature and displace Trumpeter Swans and Common Loons in their nesting areas. I have seen it first hand here in Traverse City where both native species breed (neither arriving via AK). I applaud the DNR for taking the right steps to fix a problem we created.
What is going on in this Country? We shoot first and ask questions later??? Where are our priorities? Killing off wildlife before all the facts are in, really? If God could have a press conference on this would he say “yes, we must kill all the wildlife that get in the way of people making money, or building more houses and condos on or near lakes, or prevent hunters and the NRA from getting what they want”, REALLY??
Is God a capitalist? Some believe that God rewards those who do non-selfish acts without notice. This decision to kill helpless creatures that are just trying to enjoy the life God gave them is insane. Who speaks for them? Oh, I forgot, they don’t pay taxes, ooops! The people that have made this decision are the same people that will spend money to kill things, but will do everything in their power to avoid paying taxes that could help all as whole. Let’s get our heads straight and realize “reality” my friends. Let us pray for guidance in the right direction.
Eliminating an introduced species that is causing population decreases in an indigenous species is not a bad idea. A bad idea is allowing the average Joe to discern between a Mute Swan or Tundra or Trumpeter! Hunters shoot cows and moose thinking they are whitetail deer for gods sake! There is too slight a difference between the swans. They might as well figure on loosing native species along with the invaders.
White Lake PAC members have had to clean up the area of litter and mail box junk made up of all the false information propaganda flyers put out by local Karen Stamper supporters. The mute swans are causing thousands of dollars damage to area GLRI restoration projects on both Muskegon Lake and White Lake. The DNR and MUCC are well aware of her false swan propaganda across the state. We need more bumper stickers, “Good Mute Swan is a Dead Mute Swan”.
Why does everyone think that the DNR is trying to pull something over on us? Why would they do that? What’s in it for them? They are doing the best that they can with the limited resources available to them.
In response to “Aurora”: Mute swans are not part of the ecosystem, even if they have been here since 1911. It takes much longer than that for a species to be a dynamic part of an ecosystem they inhabit. They may be somewhat naturalized, but to the detriment of the species they coexist with. Additionally, the reason that you don’t see trumpeter swans is because they have been displaced by mute swans, as is the nature of invasive species, and the reason they should be removed. The scientists from the DNR do know what they are talking about, more than a quick google search can tell you, and they are acting/speaking for the best interest of native species and Michigan’s ecosystems.
You have to remember though that the mute swan is still an invasive species that disrupts native water fowl. If we had a perfectly normal ecosystem without them then eliminating some of the populace won’t harm anything but rather make more room for our natural populace. However I am not dismissing the the fact that we as humans contribute to the damage of our natural ecosystem here in Michigan.
Our DU is in the process of fighting the PETA, HSUS, and animal rights wackos in Muskegon County to protect millions of dollars GLRI restoration and the safety of our children.
WATCH: Angry Swan Kills Kayak Rider In Illinois
http://www.wmal.com/article.asp?id=2436506&SPID=28718
I’m confused. Shouldn’t research be done before we start killing off an entire species, not during or after? Our DNR and USDA must be really in serious trouble of losing their jobs, if they have to resort to convincing the public that the swans are eating all the vegetation in our lakes and should be killed for protecting their young. Why are we using weed harvesters and putting chemicals in our lakes to the kill the weeds, if the swans are eating all the vegetation? I’ve read that trumpeters need a larger breeding area, eat just as much vegetation, and will not stay in areas congested with boats and jet skis. To think that we might see a common loon on any of our all sports lakes, is ridiculous. According to the DNR website the loon is “Easily disturbed and stressed, adult common loons may desert their nest if approached too closely by a person, boat or other water vehicle, or wake from such a vehicle.”
Come on people, we are not stupid. Ask questions. Why don’t we have studies in Michigan? We have the most water. Can they really just use one plane and people with binoculars to get an accurate count? Are the swans being aggressive towards humans because, perhaps, someone has tormented them with their jet ski or snow mobile at one point in time? The swans have been in North America since the 1800’s, can they really be that invasive and non-native? They are part of our eco system, like it or not. Why do we not see trumpeters in Michigan if they are suppose to be native here? They seem to like Alaska, since we have to go there to get their eggs so they can be hatched here. And was it not the hunters that almost wiped out the trumpeter species in the first place? The DNR’s own mute swan forum minutes, which, by the way you won’t find on their website, is based entirely on speculation on what may happen here from studies based in Maryland, which has no natural lakes. They killed them all there. Ask around, the chicken plants are still making money, and the Bay is still polluted.
If we allow them to use the swans as their scapegoats this time, you can bet they will be trying to do the same to the sandhill crane and other birds and animals in the future…grey wolf, moose, etc. Currently, these agencies are also killing 20,000 NATIVE cormorants. Google is a wonderful tool. Use it often.
Humans have unalterably changed the ecosystem and we should not wait to correct our mistakes until the damage we have done through the introduction of invasive species is so significant that even the most ardent supporter of inaction is satisified. No matter whether it is purple loosestrife, feral swine, long horned beetles, zebra mussels, big-headed carp or mute swans, the best and most efficient way to manage the problem is to bring the resources to bear on the problem early and often. To do anything else is to invite disaster.
Years ago, the Detroit Audubon Society endorsed a program of egg-shaking and nest egg disturbance in an effort to control the Mute Swan population at Metro Beach Metropark (now Lake St. Clair Metropark). Shocking? Not when you consider the negative impacts caused by Mute Swans on native populations of birds and wildlife. It’s just too bad that this nonnative, invasive species is so good looking.
The first word that comes to my mind when I see any swan is BEAUTY!
Let’s keep the beauty in our world. Save the Swans!!