Trumpeter Swans, a conservation success story

[Catherine]

Trumpeter Swans  are the largest of the water fowl found in North America. They were hunted for meat, for their feathers and for their soft skin which was used for powder puffs. They were hunted so much that by the early 20th century there were less that 100 birds. They were gone from Ontario.
It took careful planning and determined effort over many years to bring the Trumpeter Swans back to Ontario. Eggs were collected from existing populations and raised by mute swans, a non native species. Gradually a wild population of swans grew in Ontario. 
They have established themselves and there are about 60,000 swans. They are living as wild swans, but they do not know how to migrate. 
A small population migrates from Wye Marsh to lake Ontario each winter. They still require feeding because it is winter.
A total restoration to the wild would have the swans flying to the southern USA in the winter. Since they learn from their parents that may not happen.
The species itself has been reestablished and is going to survive. 

Trumpeter swans making a comeback in Ontario | The Star

Ten years ago they knew it was a success.

https://www.natureconservancy.ca/en/blog...peter.html

Wye Marsh is one of the main reintroduction sites for the swans.

https://www.wyemarsh.com/swans#:~:text=O...d%20range.


There is some good information on Wikipedia  about the swans.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trumpeter_swan

They are amazing birds. There has been a breeding pair at the Toronto Zoo for many years. I have seen them raise many cygnets.
They winter at the zoo along with other waterfowl. It is so wonderful to see them and know that almost lost them, but conservation efforts were successful.

No matter how many years it takes, conservation efforts are worth it. Seeing a species brought back from the edge of extinction is incredible.
We know we can destroy a species. Now we know we can save a species and bring it back.  Sadly for species like the Dodo and the Passenger Pigeon it is too late.  We need to work quickly to save the species that will not survive without help. It is the least we can do.