With Swan Safe, Brick Woman Aims To Change 'Invasive' Status

BRICK, NJ — After weeks of fighting to save a mute swan who had been marked for death by federal and state wildlife officials, a Brick Township woman says she wants to see the laws changed to prevent a similar situation in the future.

Irene Almeida says she wants to see mute swans reclassified from being considered an "invasive" species. She also wants to see laws about harassing wildlife enforced more strongly.

"Alfie was routinely tormented by jet skiers in HIS National Wildlife Refuge while defending his family," she wrote in an email to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other federal, state and local officials that she shared with Patch.

The email included a video that shows a jet skier getting close to Alfie and then driving a short distance, pausing and waiting for the swan to get close before taking off again. In the background you can hear several people laughing loudly as the jet ski sprays the swan with its exhaust.

Alfie, who had lived in the Seawood Harbor area for a number of years, became targeted for euthanasia after an alleged run-in with a jet ski that hit a docked boat. After that incident, the USDA sent an inspector to Seawood Harbor.

Tanya Espinosa, a spokeswoman for the USDA, said the agency made "several visits" and on one occasion, observed the swan was seen attacking a jet ski multiple times.

The swan was then set to be euthanized until he got fishing line tangled around his neck and beak, and wound up being rescued and taken to Popcorn Park Animal Refuge, leaving his mate behind with several cygnets. Read more: Happy Ending For Brick Swan That Was To Be Euthanized

"Protecting the public from aggressive wildlife throughout New Jersey is a key responsibility of the NJDEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife and its partners like the U.S. Department of Agriculture," said Caryn Shinske, a spokeswoman for the NJDEP. She said the DEP "defers decisions and actions regarding the management of certain aggressive wildlife species, including mute swans, to the USDA."

"The NJDEP DFW does not relocate aggressive, non-native wildlife to zoos or other private settings," Shinske said.

Espinosa said people feeding the swans "have potentially exacerbated this issue ... despite 'no feeding' ordinances being in place. Animals that are fed by people become more aggressive as they learn that people are a source of food."

"The 'invasive' designation is outdated. There’s now debate on whether or not they’re native to North America. It’s not a settled scientific fact although some in government want us to believe it," said Almeida, in her letter to the USDA that also went to officials at the NJDEP, along with the offices of Rep. Andy Kim, Rep. Jeff Van Drew, Sens. Robert Menendez and Cory Booker, staff of 10th District legislators Sen. Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Gregory McGuckin and John Catalano, and Mayor John G. Ducey.

The state Division of Fish and Wildlife "is using the designation to unilaterally decide the mute swan's fate. Unless we're Native Americans, we’re all invasive," she wrote. "We’re erasing history by knocking down statues but yet, the government has a problem with saving mute swans because of the 'invasive' designation. REALLY?! This is ridiculous, illogical, cruel."

Almeida said the USDA inspector who came out to Seawood Harbor was overheard saying the issue would be forgotten in a week.

"As it turns out, Alfie was indeed the swan, that was rescued with fishing line wrapped around his neck and beak after, the recent storms," Almeida said. "Now, his mate and their cygnets, are defenseless against predators."

"When does the killing end? Are you coming out to my neighborhood to shoot swans, when the next swan family moves in?" she wrote.

"The hundreds of supporters want the family reunited," she wrote, noting supporters wrote emails and called elected officials, urging a rescue. " We are not stopping. They are not stopping. Alfie and the family must be reunited. Legislation MUST be passed."

Almeida said she wants to see the issue of boaters interacting with wildlife addressed in boating license courses, and signs on wetlands to remind people to respect the wildlife. "Anyone harassing mute swans or other wildlife will be prosecuted," she wrote. "We want mute swans protected by legislation."

"I’m asking all elected officials to do the right thing, have a heart, and join Alfie's cause. Please reunite the family," she wrote. "Our core group of supporters won’t forget. And we will make sure neither will NJ constituents."

"We’re not going away. We’re simply getting stronger," she wrote.

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