The state Department of Fish and Wildlife has re-established a hot line to report dead or ill swans in Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish counties as the agency monitors trumpeter swans that have died of lead poisoning.
People can call 360-466-4345, Ext. 266, to report dead or sick swans. Callers should be prepared to leave a message that includes their name, phone number, and the location and condition of the swans. The hot line is available 24 hours a day through March.
People who see sick or dead swans are advised not to handle or attempt to move the birds, said Paul DeBruyn, wildlife biologist. Department and Puget Sound Energy employees, as well as volunteers from the Washington Waterfowl Association and the Trumpeter Swan Society, will pick up the birds, he said.
The agency and other agencies and organizations have been working since 2001 to locate sources of lead.
Since 2006, hazing crews have worked to discourage swans from using Judson Lake, a significant source of lead poisoning on the U.S.-Canada border in Whatcom County. As a result of that effort, the number of lead-related swan mortalities in northern Puget Sound dropped to about 75 per year, about 65 percent less than the previous five-year average, said DeBruyn.
Complied by Jeffrey P. Mayor, jeff.mayor@thenewstribune.com
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