MUTE SWANS IN DELAWARE
Delaware's "Euthanasia" of Mute Swans
There are currently only an estimated 40 mute swans residing in Delaware, hardly enough to provide the beauty and grace Delaware’s citizens want to see and protect. Yet Fish and Wildlife officials with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) used shotguns to kill two just a few weeks ago, with no public notice or opportunity for discussion with caring citizens. Targeted swans were euthanized by being forced into an isolated area where they could be “safely” shot. Citizens who were anxious to protect the swans and eliminate any problems were not notified or asked to help. This can hardly be considered humane or good public policy. Residents of Delaware have already offered to help oiling swan eggs (a method to prevent eggs from hatching) and to collar and band any pet swans, yet the government has remained callous and unresponsive. This has resulted in justifiable public outrage and inflamed public opinion. See the article regarding this in the Coastal Point.
Moratorium on Killing Mute Swans
In response to this public outrage, The DNREC has recently declared a “temporary” moratorium on the killing of mute swans in the state of Delaware. The moratorium should be made permanent to prevent the unnecessary and cruel killing of the remaining 40 swans in Delaware. Meanwhile concerned citizens and Fish and Wildlife officials should work together to develop guidelines that guarantee the survival of a naturalized vital population of swans and requires the use of humane non-lethal controls to resolve legitimate conflicts and mandates that lethal control may be exercised only as a last resort, only on a case by case basis and only after involvement with concerned citizens. If the moratorium can be made permanent, perhaps the unnecessary and cruel killing of the remaining 40 swans in Delaware can be prevented and some growth of the population can make up for those animals that have been callously and unnecessarily killed. The citizens of Delaware have spoken out against the killing of their state's swans and are desperate for a solution.
For more information on the killing of mute swans in Delaware see the FAQs developed by the Delaware Save our Swans Committee.
TAKE ACTION NOW!
The temporary moratorium is not enough to end the killing of swans in Delaware. Governor Markell has the power to put the killing to a stop by making the moratorium permanent. With only 40 swans left in Delaware, shooting the swans is unnecessary and cruel. Not to mention, the citizens of Delaware care deeply about their swans and do not want them to be eradicated. Please appeal to Governor Markell today and put this killing to a stop!1. Sign the petition to Governor Markell asking that the moratorium against killing mute swans in Delaware be made permanent!
2. Email, write or call Governor Markell to express your concern:
To email, go to the online web form
Addresses:
Governor Jack Markell
Tatnall Building
William Penn Street, 2nd Fl.
Dover, DE 19901
Wilmington Office
Governor Jack Markell
Carvel State Office Bldg.
820 N. French Street, 12th Fl.
Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone numbers: 302-744-4101 (Dover)
302-577-3210 (Wilmington)
- Pass this website along to your friends to tell them how they, too can speak up for mute swans!
- Send a letter to the Editor or Op-Ed to local newspapers telling why mute swans should not be killed!
- If you're interested in learning more about and taking action for Maryland's mute swans click here.
Thank you for speaking up for mute swans!