Deaths Of Lakeland's Signature Swans Is Ruffling Feathers

LAKELAND, FL – The graceful bevy of swans that has served as the city of Lakeland’s mascot for 60 years may be dying out.

In the last three weeks, six swans trying to cross Lake Morton Drive, which circles Lake Morton, have been struck by cars.

One of the swans survived and is being nursed back to health by Dr. Patricia Mattson of Companion Animal Hospital, who cares for the city’s swans that live on Lake Morton and Lake Mirror.

Mattson said the swan was lucky. It only has a bruised wing and will most likely be released back into the lake this week.

The other swans suffered painful deaths, she said.

The deaths of the regal creatures is ruffling feathers at city hall. The city has posted a plea on its social media sites for motorists to keep an eye out for swans crossing to road.

Additionally, city officials and nearby residents plan to meet Thursday, Sept. 6, to discuss ways to slow or reduce traffic around the lake to prevent further swan deaths.

The 70 swans on the lake are the descendants of a pair of swans from Queen Elizabeth II’s world-famous collection in England. They were shipped from England to Lakeland in 1957.

Since then, the birds, which weigh up to 50 pounds, have been cared for by the city and are protected by city ordinance. Anyone who intentionally harms a swan can be charged with a crime.

The city has been conscientious about making sure the birds are cared for and healthy. Each year the city holds a swan roundup, giving each swan a checkup and any needed veterinary care in assembly line fashion.

While the swans appear to float effortlessly across the lake, their pace out of the water is hardly elegant. Their slow, clumsy walk leaves them vulnerable to the 4,600 vehicles that use Lake Morton Drive each day.

Suggestions from residents on the city’s Facebook page to prevent further swan deaths include the installation of “Swan Crossing” signs, speed humps, tougher penalties for distracted drivers who run over swans, a larger law enforcement around the lake and making Lake Morton Drive a one-way road.

“Please put speed bumps in,” said Natalie Slater. “I see people driving too fast and don’t even bother to slow down when the swans or any other birds are crossing the street. They also don’t slow down when there are kids near the street.”

“Swans mate for life so when one is killed, its mate suffers as well,” said B.J. Miller. “We should better protect our beautiful swan community. They are truly Lakeland’s brand. We all hate speed humps so adding multiple ones around Lake Morton sounds reasonable.”

Images via city of Lakeland

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