 Gulp! One by one, Lakeland's feathery attractions are singing their swan songs - and only the alligators are grinning. Moved for their protection during shoreline work on Lake Morton, 65 swans were sent to swim in lakes Wire and Mirror and two Publix-owned retention ponds. Apparently, they weren't the only creatures paddling those waters. A trapper recently pulled an alligator out of Lake Wire. In its belly: two identification chip implants from missing swans.
| Swan, the other white meat |
Alligators have made meals of nine of the swans since they were moved in January, said Kevin Cook, city spokesman. Another one likely was killed by a stray dog, and two others managed to fly off despite having clipped wings, totaling 12 on the missing list. | "Stumpy wings, don't fail us now!" |
| "Af-f-f-f-f-f-l-l-l-a-a-a-a-a-a-c-c-c-c!!!!" |
City parks workers relocated more than half the population of 105 because they'd have to partially drain Lake Morton and didn't believe it could support the whole bunch. Normally, Lakes Wire and Mirror - like Lake Morton - are free of gators. During mating season, however, they spread out. Cook said alligators in all four relocation sites are being blamed for chowing down on the city's trademark.
Lakeland's graceful bevy got its beginning in 1957, when Queen Elizabeth II of England donated two mating mute swans from the royal flock. Park officials since have added three other species: coscoroba, Australian black and blackneck swans. The city lost about half its swans to botulism in the early 1980s.
Since 1991, a veterinarian has implanted an identification chip in each bird. The chips provide the birds' medical history when they're rounded up for exams and inoculations as youngsters, then for annual physicals as adults. In the fall, just about all the survivors will return to Lake Morton when the shoreline work is finished, Cook said. The bad swans will remain in Lake Mirror, where they have always gone. Those are the birds that hiss and peck at and chase people. Only a gator could love a bird like that. |