The Golden State Authorizes Culling of Highly Territorial Mute Swans Starting Next Year

A new regulation in California will allow the ongoing culling of non-native swans starting next year. This action has been called essential by some officials to safeguard the state's already diminished wetlands and native waterfowl, while opponents have condemned it as “unethical”.

The species, valued as ornamental birds, have rapidly expanded across California, where state biologists say they damage habitats and forcefully push out native species.

Recent Law Includes Mute Swans to Invasive Species List

This legislation, enacted by California's governor earlier this month, places these birds on the list of invasive birds that can be culled without major limits, joining the English sparrow and starling. The bill goes into effect on 1 January.

“The problem is that their numbers have grown rapidly and they do a lot of damage to the wetlands,” stated a wildlife department representative. “California has lost between 90 and 95% of its historic wetlands, and these birds inhabit those wetlands and cause significant damage.”

These large waterfowl can change wetlands when they establish themselves in areas where they have not formerly lived.

Habitat Damage of Big Waterfowl

“Given their substantial physique, they do tend to consume quite a lot of vegetation,” said an ornithologist. “They eat water plants, plants that thrive with its roots underwater, and they not only consume it in volume, but they will tend to uproot it, so they’re disrupting the bottom.”

“They really have the potential to modify the ecosystem of the wetland substantially, and in a way that will change it for, not only the other birds, but for all kinds of other plants and animals,” the researcher explained.

Territorial Instincts In Mating Season

After they claim a territory, notably throughout breeding season when they are guarding eggs or chicks, mute swans hostilely expel other birds that invade their territory.

“It’s sort of like taking a young adult and putting him in the school yard at a middle school,” said the biologist. “He’ll dominate every encounter.”

Per a announcement by the fish and wildlife office, mute swans are not protected under the federal bird protection law since they were brought to North America in the mid-1800s.

Origin and History

These birds are originally from northern and central Eurasia and were introduced to the United States by private breeders to be shown in zoos, public parks, and on private estates. Some escaped captivity accidentally, while some were set free on purpose.

“For a lot of folks, the idea that they’re not native is sort of unclear,” a biologist noted. “If it’s been around your whole life long, you think of that as a local species. They’ve been in North America for a considerable period.”

Wildlife Challenges

Per a state official, the second largest threat to California’s native species, after habitat loss, is invasive species.

“This is definitely a concerning animal, but now there’s at least an approach to help manage it,” the representative stated.

Controversy and Debate

Some groups backed the bill. A conservation nonprofit published a declaration encouraging Californians to call and write their representatives to reject the bill, which they labeled “unacceptable”.

“The move represents a final push by a dying hunting industry to add another target for hunters, and we won’t stand by and let it happen!,” states the announcement.

Physical Characteristics

• These birds ingest nearly eight pounds of vegetation each day
• Their weight is 25 to 30 pounds
• They can grow up to 5.5 feet in length
• The wing measurement can reach nearly eight feet
• There have been instances of serious injuries to children and pets

“While protecting young or they have chicks, they are extremely hostile and fully able to hurting a human,” a researcher explained.

“They’ll definitely come at you, not only with their mouth, but they’ll often extend their wings and hit with their wing joints at something they perceive as threatening their territory. They’re capable of breaking your wrist by whacking you.”

These swans are still purchased in some states for decorative purposes, to reduce plant growth, or to remove other species. In California, mute swans are listed as a controlled animal and cannot be brought in, moved, or kept without a authorization.