The town of Manlius, in upstate New York, is mourning the loss of Faye, a swan who was stolen from the town’s pond over the weekend along with her four young. The cubs were recovered, but —according to the authorities— the thieves killed her mother to eat her.
“The mother swan was eaten,” Manlius Mayor Paul Whorrall said Wednesday. “It’s sad to say, but that’s what they did.”
Three teenagers were arrested on charges including grand theft and damage in connection with the theft of the swans, Manlius Police Sgt. Ken Hatter said.
White swans, like Faye and her mate Manny, are not native to North America. They were introduced as an ornamental species and are prized for their beauty, but authorities consider them invasive.
Swan hunting is legal in some states, but not in New York.
Southeast of Syracuse, the town of Manlius has a swan badge on its website, as well as on merchandise including hats and T-shirts.
“Swans have been a part of this village for over 100 years,” Whorrall explains. “We are known for our swans.”
For more than a decade, Faye and Manny flitted around the village pond, hatching and raising chicks each spring. They were donated in 2010 by biologist and self-described “swan guru” Michael Bean.
Police said Faye and this year’s chicks went missing on Saturday, but authorities were not notified until Monday.
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2023-06-01 19:48:51
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