Black swans

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32783, 7 December 1971, Page 16

Black swans

Sir,—About 12 months ago a report appeared in your paper from the Department of Internal Affairs stating that consideration would be given to the removal of black swans from the game licence. The “Hilton Press," November 11, 1971, says that once again the department has issued this statement in its annual report. What I would like to know is (a) why swan eggs and nests were destroyed on Garibaldie and Manson Island this year; and (b) why does the department issue these statements and then allow eggs to be destroyed? Perhaps the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society could answer these questions. As the society will not reply to letters signed with a nom-de-plume, I will willingly sign this one.— Yours, etc., 1. D. FORBES.

November 29, 1971. [Mr H. B. Barker, secretary of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, replies: “I am not aware of any positive statement having been made by the Department of Internal Affairs that the black swan would be taken off the game licence, though I have understood from reports previously published that this was considered as a possible course of action which could be taken if the natural reproduction rate did not recover. During the recent breeding season a far greater number of cygnets has hatched than in any other period during the last four years. A daily bag limit has been proposed for the 1972 game season, and a report of a scientific study conducted by the department at the nesting area at Lake Ellesmere is under consideration.

The destruction of nests on the islands referred to is part of the society’s management programme which is designed to contain all nesting of black swan within the recognised nesting area under the direct supervision of the society’s field officers."]