Photo by Jessie Turner

Invading Michigan’s Waters

Mute Swans

A growing threat to native animals,

habitat, and humans

Definitions

Native: species that occur naturally in a given area or region

Non-Native: species that, due to direct or indirect human activity, occurs in locations beyond its known historical or potential natural range. Refers to species from another continent, region, ecosystem, or habitat.

Invasive: non-native species that become established, spread widely, and cause environmental or economic harm or harm to human health

History of Mute Swans in Michigan

Non-native and Invasive

Native to Eurasia

One pair introduced in Charlevoix County in 1919

47 birds by 1949

A southern flock was later established in SW Michigan

15,500 mute swans in 2010

Numbers increasing rapidly

All North American mute swans originated from releases or escapes Photo by Jessie Turner

Why are Mute Swans a Problem?

Threaten humans

Endanger native wildlife

Destroy wetland habitat

Photo by Jessie Turner

Threaten Humans

Show little fear of people

Known to attack people in both boats and on shore

Potentially dangerous conflicts

As mute swan populations grow, so do conflicts

Nik Taylor Photography

Nordic Photos/Superstock

Endanger Native Wildlife

Very territorial during nesting and raising of young

Drive out native waterfowl and other wetland bird species from breeding areas Birds at risk include state threatened trumpeter swan and

common loon; native ducks, and Canada geese

May be worse in areas where wetland loss has reduced suitable waterfowl breeding habitat

Mute swans are one of the world’s most aggressive waterfowl

Photo courtesy of Marlene Trapp

Destroy Wetland Habitat A single mute swan can

consume 4-8 lbs. of wetland plants a day

Sometimes uproot and destroy plants completely

Wetland plants are important in aquatic ecosystems to provide food and cover for native birds, fish, and invertebrates

Loss of native wetland plants is detrimental to

the ecosystem

Photo by Mark Knee

Michigan’s Swan Species

Mute Swan Non-native

Tundra Swan Native

Trumpeter Swan Native

Photo courtesy of: US Fish & Wildlife service

Photo by Jessie Turner Photo courtesy of: stockvault.net Photo courtesy of: dreamstime.com Photo courtesy of: National Geographic

Trumpeter Swan A Native Beauty

Native to Michigan

Threatened status

Mute swans threaten breeding success

Photo by Jim Ridley

Mute Swan Numbers Increasing Rapidly

Sauer, J. R., J. E. Hines, J. E. Fallon, K. L. Pardieck, D. J. Ziolkowski, Jr., and W. A. Link. 2011. The North American Breeding Bird Survey, Results and Analysis 1966 - 2009. Version 3.23.2011 USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD

A Growing Problem Population growth of about 9-10% annually

In 10 years, the number of mute swans has nearly tripled

Population model predicts 19,400-24,200 mute swans by 2015 if we do nothing

Michigan has the highest number of mute swans in North America

Year

Pop

ulat

ion

Mute Swan Population Goals

Short-term goals (5-year): Reduce the mute swan population to zero on DNR lands Reduce the statewide mute swan population growth to

zero on all other lands

Long-term goal (20-year): To maintain a spring population less than 2,000 mute

swans throughout Michigan

What is the DNR Doing? Began local control activities in the 1960s due to a

growing concern of expanding mute swan numbers

Issue permits to remove mute swans and/or their nests and eggs

Follow Wildlife-Division’s Mute Swan Management and Control Program Policy and Procedures

Brought together a Mute Swan Forum

Mute Swan Management Efforts Nest/egg destruction

Removal of birds

Both public and private lands

Photo by Jessie Turner

Why Remove Adults? Population model suggests that removing adults is

most effective for reducing numbers

Adult survival has greatest impact on population growth

Mortality type Number destroyed annually to stabilize

population

Nests destroyed 3,798

Eggs killed 18,990

Adults killed 1,485

Mute Swan Authorities No protection under federal law

Not listed in Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act Protection removed in 2004 because not native

Under jurisdiction of states (Public Act 451 of 1994)

by Lori Niedenfuer Cool , Copyright 2007, The Grand Rapids Press. All rights reserved; used with permission.

Mute Swan State Authority Wildlife Conservation Order

Protects mute swans Mute swans and their eggs and nests may only be taken under one

of the following situations: To stabilize or reduce population levels or prevent establishment of

new populations To prevent interference with the establishment, reestablishment, or

reproductive success off native wildlife, threatened/endangered species, and native vegetation

To protect public health, safety or welfare Mute swans taken shall not be released back into the wild Allows for issuance of damage and nuisance animal control permits Hunting mute swans is not allowed

Support for Mute Swan Management

There are many conservation groups that support the drastic reduction of mute swan numbers

The National Audubon Society The Michigan Audubon Society Ducks Unlimited The American Bird Conservancy And many more!

What Can You Do? You and your neighbors can help protect Michigan’s natural

resources, including the trumpeter swan, by controlling mute swans on your lakes and wetlands.

Call your local DNR field office

Obtain nest/egg destruction or removal permits

For sites with multiple landowners, file a petition or resolution

Reaching mute swan goals is only possible with help

from local landowners

Thank you for helping to protect our native wildlife

species and wetland habitat!

For more information visit

www.michigan.gov/muteswans Trumpeter Swan Photo by Bill Rollo