Humane society keeping eye on swan
An “out-of-place” swan lingering around the Rusholme Road area of Welland is on Niagara SPCA and Humane Society’s radar, says its executive director, John Greer.
Numerous calls have been coming from the public after it has been seen along the road in the industrial section of the city between Netherby Road and Udine Avenue for about two weeks, he said Monday.
Everything appears to be fine with the large bird, and there is no reason for the humane society to attempt capturing it.
“It’s not injured, it’s not hurt, and it is capable of flying,” said Greer.
Normally, swans travel in flocks and this one spending time by itself in rural Welland might be waiting to “hook up” again with its previous group, Greer said.
“It could’ve just got disoriented a bit,” said Greer, noting nearby inland ponds and creeks, such as the Welland River, could be what’s keeping it around.
“They’ll kind of hang out there just as a long as they have a feeding source.”
Officers have checked on the bird several times and will continue to do so, he said.
Being that it has been observed in flight, predators on the ground making a meal of the swan aren’t a major concern.
“It’s not in any harm there,” said Greer, adding swans are protected under the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act and that it is illegal to hunt them.
Capturing the bird, especially if it doesn’t appear to be hurt or sick, isn’t an option at the moment.
“We’d probably do more damage trying to capture it than leaving it to its own devices,” said Greer.
“We understand the public is concerned,” he said.