MONTROSE -- Chances of seeing a Mute Swan in Michigan could become a rarity if officials decide to drastically reduce the population to protect the state's natural resources.
But as NBC25 found out, the proposal is angering a lot of wildlife lovers.
The Mute Swan has been around Michigan since the 1800's, but now the species is growing rapidly and causing a big debate on how they should be managed.
Montrose resident Teresa Smelser has a soft spot for Mute Swans.
“Swans are known to be the bird of romance,” said Smelser, who is a Wildlife Rehabilitator.
As a licensed wildlife rehabilitator she cares for the waterfowl.
But the Natural Resource Commission may soon put a stop to that.
“We will not be able to take in the young, we will not be able to take in the sick and the injured, or do anything for them,” said Smelser.
Thursday, the NRC will decide if these birds should be eradicated from state land and reduced to about 2,000 on public and private land.
If it’s passed, Smelser will have to turn her head to helping these birds.
“I feel sick, I’m an animal lover, anything that is hurt, even non-protected species of song birds, I don't turn anyone away, but I have no choice here,” said Smelser.
The Mute Swans were brought over from Europe to be used as lawn ornaments, since then, the population has grown, and now there are about 15,000 in Michigan.
The state has tried to control the population since 2006, but now officials say the species is damaging wetlands like this one.
“They are a large bird, they eat a lot of vegetation, and just as too many cows will over graze a pasture, these Mute Swans will leave these wetlands very much denoted in vegetation,” said Steven Kahl, the Manager of the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge.
Mute Swans are also said to be fierce competitors of the native Trumpeter Swan, a threatened species in Michigan.
“They'll often push them off their nesting territories; they will out compete them for food,” said Kahl.
Now the competition is over whether these birds have a right to stay.
People who already have Mute Swans will be able to keep them if they are pinioned and neutered.
The Natural Resource Commission will make a final decision about the plan in Lansing Thursday.
Do you think the Mute Swan population poses a threat to Michigan wildlife?
