Conservatively Speaking

Today I received a copy of a letter being sent by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to all interested parties about the availability of applications to capture, neuter and release mute swans. Here is the letter:


Subject: Mute Swan Capture, Neuter & Release Application and Permit

Dear Recipient:

This letter is to inform you that applications to Capture, Neuter, and Release mute swans on bodies of water in Racine, Kenosha and/or Waukesha counties are now available. People interested in conducting these activities can obtain an application by contacting me at 608-266-2151. One application must be submitted for each body of water mute swans will be captured on and all applications must be postmarked by June 1, 2007.

Permits to capture, neuter, and release mute swans will only be issued for bodies of water in Racine, Kenosha and/or Waukesha Counties. Permits will be issued by July 1, 2007 and will be valid through December 31, 2007.

The following are conditions of the permit:

· Capture will be carried out or assisted by persons knowledgeable in wildlife control and capture techniques.

· All mute swans will be humanely captured, transported, and maintained.

· The mute swans will be delivered to a veterinarian for the purposes of neutering as soon as it is practical but no later than 24 hours after capture.

· The permittee will provide written proof of neutering, signed by a licensed veterinarian to a DNR representative.

· The neutered mute swans will be held for only the amount of time sufficient for treatment and recovery as directed by the attending veterinarian. As soon as the neutered mute swans are deemed healthy enough for release, the applicant will contact the DNR Wildlife Management Contact listed on page 1 to schedule the marking of the swan(s).

· If a mute swan is determined by the attending veterinarian to be sick or diseased, it shall be euthanized by the veterinarian and turned over to the department within 24 hours.

· Mute swans that may be injured or hurt during the capture, neutering, or release will be treated, possessed or disposed of as directed by the Department. Mute swans that die during capture, neutering, or release shall be turned over to the department within 24 hours.

· All neutered mute swans must be marked in accordance with USGS Bird Banding Laboratory Swan Protocol by DNR staff prior to release.

· Neutered mute swans may only be released to the same body of water from which they were captured.

· The permittee is not an agent of the State and shall be responsible for their own acts, errors or omissions and of those working under authority of the permit. The permittee accepts risk and responsibility for damage or injury to property or persons resulting from their actions during the capture, neutering and release of mute swans; and will hold the Department harmless for such damage or injury.

· If permitted swan(s) become a threat to public safety, the permittee is responsible for their removal or the Department will remove the swan(s).

· If the permittee is required to remove the mute swans after release because they have become a threat to public safety, the permittee must first receive a new written authorization from the Department to engage in the removal. The written authorization will designate the allowed method of removal and the required disposition of the mute swan.

· If permitted swan(s) interfere with trumpeter swan breeding, nesting, and brood-rearing activities, the Department will remove the swan(s).

· If any permitted swan(s) occur within boundaries of state-owned lands, the Department may remove them.


If you have any question about the permit or the permitting process, please feel free to call me at 608-266-2151.


Sincerely,


Brad Koele

Acting Urban Wildlife and Wildlife Damage Specialist

Bureau of Wildlife Management