The three judges in the mute swan case agreed unanimously
that whether the bird is native or non-native is irrelevant, as those
words are found nowhere in the treaties, or the Act. So, what don’t
these people understand about the words "So ordered," issued
by a panel of three federal judges in a federal court?
Mute Swan shot with arrow swims with
her cygnet.
Photo sent to C.A.S.H.
"It’s not good." That was the opinion
of USF&W Service’s Steve Wilds, chief of migratory birds at
Ft. Snelling, talking to Rob Drieslein. What the chief was saying,
was
that the plan to eliminate the mute swans from this continent had
hit a snag and he was saying it for publication, because Rob is
the editor of Hunting News, a newspaper so far west, he
refers to Wisconsin as "out east." "We’re waiting to
hear from solicitors in D.C." Wilds is quoted. Speaking to his
readers through his column, Drieslein said, "right now, there’s
nothing you can do about it," with a catch in his throat,
undoubtedly.
What’s a killer to do? Remember, we are not talking about opening
a season on mutes, which would be bad enough, we are talking about
wanton destruction of birds man has loved for thousands of years,
in most of the world. Only here are they reviled and targeted for
extinction by people like William Sladen of Airlie Research Center
in Virginia, well known for botched programs to teach trumpeter swans
to migrate. (They are taken away from the nests and so never learn
from their parents.) Newspaper reports say almost all of the birds
were killed in accidents while his study was in full swing. He even
shot the lead bird in the air, for starting to go off the man designed
course. Now, he pairs males with males, getting rid of the females
(how?) and rents them to families that want them for ponds. Sounds
like Dr. Strangelove, to me. The plan to "place by the hand
of man" another, bigger bird, the trumpeter, to be a custom
grown "trophy bird" for hunters is unconscionable, and
Sladen should be stopped, not aided and abetted.
More than a thousand signatures of Wisconsin citizens, many
from hunters, were outvoted by a handful of miscreants and cooperative
NGOs like Audubon, Sierra Club, etc. and that state was among the
first to request a permit. Are we devolving into uncivilized,
miserable humans, not humane? The swans are only one such case. The
mindset is rampant and can be frightening . Don’t get frightened,
get mad. Stay focused, because you are making a difference. We
only wish the change would come along faster.
Since Drieslein’s column was written, the FWS has
acted illegally, promising to give permits and doing so in New
York, Rhode Island, Maryland and probably in Wisconsin. The requirements
under the MBTA are strict and are not met in the mute swan situation.
Reasons for giving permits include:
-Numbers of the species so large they must be controlled,
the mute swans number under 20,000 nationwide, they should be considered
endangered, which they are
- The birds have to be a proven health hazard,
which has never been a charge against mute swans.
- To use them for medical/scientific research,
however the mutes are not on the list of allowable species,
which includes wood ducks and eiders. (Despite this, USGS has used
them
this way for years.)
- Depredation, primarily of farmland or commercial
properties, again not charged against mute swans.
One thing the learned editor suggested was that
humane groups would be in the wings waiting for the permits to be
given out so that they could sue to stop the action.
SaveOurSwans USA will go into court. And a new group
has been formed, MBTA Advocates. These are people who love birds
more than hunting and they are willing to speak out. We welcome them
and your support.
Kathryn Burton (860) 739-7791, SaveOurSwans USA
SOS_USA@aol.com
