Mute Swans to Become a Thing of the Past

Recent News-

               In the Spring 2011 The Michigan Riparian, Vol. 46 No. 2 on page 12, a very informative and interesting article was written about the future of Michigan’s non-native Mute Swans. The Natural Resources Commission recently voted in favor of prohibiting the release of mute swans back into the wild; furthermore, the vote will also help the DNR plan to “reduce the state’s mute swan population by 90 percent over 20 years—from about 15,000 to about 2,000 by the year 2030.”

                To some lake residents and animal lovers, this may be a touchy and controversial subject; however, as DNR spokeswoman Mary Dettloff said, Mute Swans “are an invasive, non-native species and they tend to be a very aggressive, destructive bird.”

                The Trumpeter Swan is native to Michigan, and has a black bill. The Tundra is another native species, but is migratory and has a mostly black bill with some yellow below the eyes.  The Mute Swan has an orange bill and is the most common swan in Michigan, although it’s a foreigner.

The Issue

                Mute Swans “destroy habitat…run ducks, loons and other species of swans off of wetlands and lakes. Mute Swans destroy submerged vegetation in lakes. That vegetation is important to other water fowl as well as to fish. They destroy nesting areas. “ 

The Plan of Action

                The DNR’s plan is to use conservation groups and duck hunting groups to help destroy Mute Swan eggs and nests over the coming years. Anyone wishing to kill a Mute Swan must first contact the DNR, which will then issue a permit. Lake Associations can apply for permits on behalf of all lake residents.

- Michelle Bouwkamp

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