Politics & Government

State Plans to Kill or Capture All Mute Swans

Plan calls for complete New York removal by 2025.

State officials plan to eliminate all of the wild mute swans in New York, either by capturing or killing them. 

Under the proposed plan, adult swans in public waters could be shot or euthanized, or they could be caught by those licensed to keep them in captivity.

Mute swans are most prevalent on Long Island and the lower Hudson Valley.

"Mute swans can cause a variety of problems, including exhibiting aggressive behavior towards people, destruction of submerged aquatic vegetation, displacement of native wildlife species, degradation of water quality and potential hazards to aviation," Department of Environmental Conversation representatives said.

This plan aims at eliminating mute swans from New York State by 2025, while allowing ownership of some of these birds in captivity.

Comments on the draft mute swan plan may be submitted in writing through Jan. 31 to: NYSDEC Bureau of Wildlife, Swan Management Plan, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754 or by e-mail to fwwildlf@gw.dec.state.ny.us (please type "Swan Plan" in the subject line).

For more on this plan, click here.

What are your thoughts on the plan to eliminate all the mute swans? Tell us in the comments section below. 


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