Mute swans
Mute Swans were transported to the United States from Europe many years ago for very wealthy land owners that thought the swans would make a sophisticated and elegant addition to their ponds. The swans adjusted to their new environment very well, and over many years spread across much of the Eastern United States. Presently, the Mute Swans are being blamed for damaging the ecosystem in many eastern states. Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, the Carolinas, and Georgia have all reported the swans are causing extensive damage. Maryland has been hurt far worse than any of the other states. Specifically, Maryland's sensitive Chesapeake Bay is approaching having it's entire ecosystems thrown off balance due to the reduction of the bay's aquatic grasses. A primary reason the bay's grasses are diminishing is the Mute Swan is eating and destroying the grasses before they can grow back. The reduction of the Chesapeake Bay's aquatic grasses is a serious problem that will continue to get worse until the Mute Swan population is reduced. John Foster, a retired DNR employ and a current Environmental Consulting Services employ, agrees that the swan's impact on the bay is extensive and the problem must be solved.
Foster replied, "The mute swan is non migratory, and resides here all summer, nesting, raising young, and feeding on grasses nearly year round. When asked why swans impact the grasses so much, Mr. " The grasses are also important because they produce oxygen for the water from photosynthesis, dispel wave energy, reduce turbidity and erosion, and adsorb nutrients from the water column (Chesapeake Bay). Foster states, "grasses serve as a valuable function in providing habitat for many organisms, especially the young of fish and crabs. Everyone can agree swans are a beautiful bird that is enjoyable to see in the wild, but when they became a threat to the environment they must go. If people are not comfortable with the swans being hunted, then they should compromise by not fighting the non violent coating of the eggs. Every year there is on average of two deaths which are caused by mute swan attacks (Ken Valenti). If the swan population is not fixed, then many other species will start to suffer. Animal rights activists must realize that DNR has the Chesapeake Bay animal's best interests in mind by reducing the swan population. DNR's second plan was to then apply for the authority to shake or coat the eggs with oil to prevent them from hatching as an alternative to having the citizens shoot the swans; this plan was also taken to court by PETA, The Fund for Animals, and four private citizens. This has a devastating impact upon the stock of grass. They have united to make a save the swans website that contains petitions, an article stating mission, and links to other articles on the swans. This particular plan to bring the number of swans to a manageable level was quickly dropped by DNR because the public responded very negatively to the idea of citizens killing the birds. John Foster says the courts will not have made a final ruling until at least next fall. To understand exactly how swans effect the food chain by eating the grasses, it is important to understand the role of the bay's grasses in the ecosystem.
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Acceptance Essays
