Watch CBS News

Waterford Township Board Won't Move To Exterminate Mute Swans

WATERFORD TOWNSHIP (WWJ/AP) - Leaders in an Oakland County community have decided to take no action on a plan that would have made it easier to eliminate the local mute swan population.

At Monday's meeting by Waterford Township trustees, the majority of speakers wanted the swans left alone.

According to resident Karen Stamper, who posted a Change.org petition asking for a stop to the killing of the swans, was impressed by attendance by swan supporters at the meeting. She thanked representatives of the Humane Society of the United States and members of the community who showed up.

"There was one man that said the swans attacked his grandchild and such, but then said he was a member of Ducks Unlimited for 30 some years," Stamper said. "The sweetest 87-year-old lady spoke after that and showed pictures of her grandkids feeding the swans."

"They said they had calls from all over the states and world. How exciting," Stamper said. "I hope we can all unite in the future and win this fight to save our mute swans."

Reports of an aggressive swan on Maceday and Lotus lakes prompted the board to discuss a resolution that would have cleared the path to allow removal of swan eggs and the killing of aggressive swans. Now, those in the area must request permission from the state.

Officials with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources have said the birds are an invasive, nonnative species with a destructively voracious appetite for vegetation.

No one from the DNR was in attendance Monday evening.

Mute swans have been in the state for about a century.

TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.