Each winter, rare trumpeter swans can be seen in Illinois, and each year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and state conservation officials investigate illegal killings of the huge birds. The year 2000 has seen little change from previous years -- five trumpeters have fallen victim to shootings. The toll: three dead and two wounded.
Trumpeter swans are protected, and Service special agent Timothy Santel reminds the public that killing trumpeter swans, even accidentally while hunting sport species, violates several State and Federal laws. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is asking that hunters be sure of their target to avoid killing trumpeters; and that the public report any intentional shooting of trumpeter swans.
Every year, we thrill to the sight of these magnificent birds as they migrate into Illinois. But every year we witness the same tragedy -- the irresponsible actions of a few people, Santel said. We want everyone to know about trumpeter swans, that they are protected, and that the Service and our state partners intend to pursue cases of illegal killings, accidental or otherwise.
Santel reports that the killer of one trumpeter in Mason County, Illinois, has already been prosecuted in state court. The shooter received fines totaling nearly $1,000. State charges are also pending against shooters at a private hunt club in Fulton County where two swans were killed and one injured. The trumpeter injured in the incident is now recovering at Treehouse, a wildlife rehabilitation facility located in Brighton, Illinois.
Another trumpeter was reported injured in a shooting at Lake Jacksonville in Morgan County. The incident was reported by witnesses, and the suspect later confessed to the shooting. The bird, which survived the shooting and was located two days later, was also treated by Treehouse. This trumpeter has been moved to a larger rehabilitation facility at the Raptor Rehabilitation Center at the University of Minnesota. The bird wore a yellow neckband E-72, indicating it is part of a reintroduction effort by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The swan did have its wing tip amputated as a result of the injury.
Santel notes that several of the trumpeters now in Illinois can be seen with yellow neck collars to identify them as part of the Wisconsin DNRs trumpeter project. Some of these birds also wear tiny radio tracking devices to help follow their movements.
The tracking devices indicate that most of these swans are now in central and southern Illinois with the goose seasons in full swing, when risks to the swans are increased, said Santel.
Trumpeter swans are considerably larger than other sport-hunted waterfowl, weighing up to 38 pounds and measuring 5 feet in length. The trumpeters plumage is snowy white, and the birds wingspan can reach 8 feet. By comparison, the largest Canada geese weigh about 12 pounds.
Said Santel, "If you see a bird with an 8-foot wingspan, it is definitely not a goose. Hunters who arent sure should not pull the trigger."
Trumpeter swans are slowly making a comeback from low populations. In some states, including Wisconsin, efforts are underway to reintroduce trumpeter swans to bolster their populations. They often migrate through Illinois, along major waterways such as the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. It is during winter migrations, which coincide with sport hunting seasons, that trumpeters are at risk.
The trumpeter is one of three species of swans which may be found in Illinois, and all three are protected by state law. Other species include the tundra swan and the non-migratory mute swan.
Both the trumpeter and the tundra swan are also protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Unlike many other species of waterfowl, trumpeters may not be hunted at any time. Even accidental shootings are misdemeanor violations of the Act and carry penalties of up to $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, up to 6 months in prison, and possible loss of hunting privileges.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System comprised of more than 500 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands, and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fish and wildlife management assistance offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state wildlife agencies.
For further information about the programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region, please visit our home page at: http://midwest.fws.gov
