Killing swans is a bad idea

CNN ^ | Feb 21, 2014 | Carl Safina

[Innovative]

"Take a good look at them," I said, "because the state plans to exterminate them."

I kind of agree with the department's main reason for exterminating New York state's resident mute swans (by the way, that's the species' name, because they're usually silent).

Non-native species often pose problems. I just have two problems with the plan. One, I don't think mute swans are really too much of a threat to anything or anyone in New York state. They live mainly on Long Island and the lower Hudson, with a few on the Great Lakes. They number just around 2,200 birds, total, in the whole state. Not exactly a plague.

"Those are stupid reasons," she said, demanding to know who is planning to kill them.

I told her it's the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

[ZULU]

The same people put out something like that about hunters.

I WANT a bird that reduces goose poop. There are places in the Northeast where there are so many Canada geese, they pose a health problem.

[central_va]

Swan meat recipes:

click here.

[cripplecreek]

The same people put out something like that about hunters.

Michigan actively encourages hunters. As far as geese are concerned, they can be and are hunted around here.

[Mastador1]

Pretty to look at - but we should never allowed them to be imported. I know some indians who thing the same thing about blondes.

The only thing with indians is that they came here from somewhere else before the blondes. Aint nobody spontaneously sprung from the earth in North America.

[ZULU]

I have no argument. I like blondes.