Performing surgery on a trumpeter swan with a wing injury (Photo via Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota)
Trumpeter swans are a common and cherished sight on the St. Croix River in winter. While the river slumbers under the ice, and most other birds have migrated south, the waterfowl are a welcome sight, and demonstrate humans’ ability to reverse past wrongs and restore native species.
As recently reported on St. Croix 360, the birds have one nagging problem: lead poisoning from ingesting ammunition and fishing tackle. Although they can naturally live to 20 or 30 years old, lead kills many birds each year. A young swan (called a cygnet) which was rescued in Hudson last month succumbed to the contamination and died last week, despite the efforts of another swan to break it free from ice, and human rescuers that plucked it from the water and delivered it to veterinarians.
That sick swan and more than 9,000 other sick and injured animals are cared for each year at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota. This month, the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Speaker Series features the executive director of the center, discussing the organization’s efforts, with an emphasis on swans.
Saturday, March 14, 10:00 am
The Science and Compassion of Wildlife Medicine
Presented by Philip Jenni, Executive Director of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota
The presentation is free and open to the public. It will take place at the St. Croix River Association office, 230 South Washington Street, Unit 1, in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin (next to the St. Croix Falls Public Library).
Space is limited and reservations strongly encouraged. RSVPs will be honored until 10:00 am. To reserve a space, go to this link or call (715) 483-3300.