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+--- Thread: Lethal taking of invasive swans postponed (/showthread.php?tid=285045)
Lethal taking of invasive swans postponed - fish_a_holic - 10-11-2006
DNR to try non-lethal methods to manage mute swan population for a year
DNR Director Kyle Hupfer announced today that the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife has determined they can delay the systematic taking of mute swans for a year. As an alternative, the DNR will seek the assistance of local lake management groups and others to implement non-lethal methods of managing the mute swan population.
Hupfer said "In dealing with the mute swan or any other invasive species, our ultimate goal is to protect the public, our native wildlife and their habitat. I don't want residents to think that mute swans do not pose a serious problem. Mute swans have and will continue to threaten our lake ecosystems, native wildlife and humans.
"While we continue to have concerns about the biological impact of the mute swans, our counts indicate we are out in front of the issue. Because of that, we are willing to give non-lethal methods an opportunity to maintain this problem."
The DNR had looked at the possibility of using lethal means to decrease the mute swan population in northern Indiana. After an aerial survey of the lakes where the swans nest and after discussions with residents of the area, the DNR determined a large-scale lethal taking of the swans was unnecessary.
The fly-over count made by DNR included the swan numbers as follows:
Chapman Lake 16
St. Joe River 92 Palestine Lake 11 Dewart Lake 6 Barbee lakes 42 Tippecanoe Lake 19 Backwaters/Webster Lakes 102 Lake James Chain 53 Crooked Lake 15 Dallas Chain 5 Indian Chain 7 TOTAL 368
"I hope the non-lethal methods prove successful," Hupfer said, "and that those who have so strongly defended the swans now use that energy to help with the non-lethal population control efforts the DNR will undertake."
The non-lethal methods to be used in the spring are primarily destruction of the swan nests, egg oiling and egg addling; a technique whereby someone forcefully shakes the mute swan eggs and averts the hatching of mute swan cygnets.
Additional steps to be taken by the DNR include public education about interaction with wildlife and more aggressive enforcement on the lakes to prevent deliberate wave running at the birds and other purposeful harassment of the swans.
The DNR will also continue to use lethal methods of swan removal on a case-by-case basis when nesting mute swans become a particular threat to humans, wildlife or habitat. In those cases the taking of the swans will be carried out by DNR personnel, usually conservation officers.
"We will follow this path for a year," Hupfer said, "and, after another population survey, reassess the problem and determine our best course of action. Any choices we make in the coming years will include input from local residents who are concerned about this important issue."
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