Mute swans are not native in Michigan, and despite their beauty, they're often unwelcome. According to the Detroit Free Press, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has recently reviewed but rejected a proposal from the Humane Society of the United States to suspend lethal action against the invasive birds. The current plan includes egg oiling and other measures to keep the birds from reproducing as well as issuing permits for shooting the birds. The DNR's goal is to reduce the state's mute swan population from more than 15,000 to fewer than 2,000 birds in the next 18 years.
While mute swans may be lovely, they are also one of the most aggressive waterfowl. Their size and feeding habits can also destroy aquatic vegetation that is essential to other native species. The DNR hopes to remove the mute swans to allow the state's native trumpeter swans more opportunities to recover. Trumpeter swans are listed as threatened in Michigan.
Do you agree with the plan to kill mute swans in Michigan? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Mute Swan
Photo © nophun201
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