Mute swans are highly invasive of wetland habitats, impact native species of fish and wildlife, damage commercial agricultural crops, and pose a threat to human health and safety. As such, they cause serious nuisance problems and property damage, including economic loss. Because of their consumption of large quantities of submerged aquatic vegetation and their aggressive behavior, mute swan compete directly with many other water birds and fisheries for critical habitats. Due to their strong territorial defense, some pairs will vigorously defend nest and brood sites from intrusion by other wildlife and have attacked humans, causing serious harm. They do provide some aesthetic value for public enjoyment. But, as populations of mute swans have grown in various states and expanded into new areas, there is a need to coordinate management actions among state/provincial and Federal wildlife agencies to reduce numbers to desirable levels. The goal of this management plan is TO REDUCE MUTE SWAN POPULATIONS IN THE ATLANTIC FLYWAY TO LEVELS THAT WILL MINIMIZE NEGATIVE ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS TO WETLAND HABITATS AND NATIVE MIGRATORY WATERFOWL AND TO PREVENT FURTHER RANGE EXPANSION INTO UNOCCUPIED AREAS [ - ]

Mute swans are highly invasive of wetland habitats, impact native species of fish and wildlife,... [ + ]