To the New York State Dept. of Conservation…

Hello…

We have a small colony of Trumpeter swans at Bluffer’s park, Toronto, Ontario, Canada…

They could migrate down to the Finger Lakes area, but we have had to restrain them from doing so due to hunting problems in the States…

The Trumpeter swans are a protected species, they have a black bill & large white body…

But hunters in the States are shooting them, then saying they mistook them for the Mute swan variety, yellow bill…

Because of this, we have been feeding them here in Canada over the winter months, which restrains them from migrating South…

Of course, this is difficult for the swans…

But better than getting shot & eaten…

Is it possible that the New York Department of Conservation put out a stricter protocol for those who hunt swans?

They are flying down from the TRCA, Toronto Region & Conservation Areas…

Also, lead shot is still a problem, as those that do migrate ingest it sometimes which causes lead poisoning…

Bismuth shot is much safer environmentally speaking, plus Bismuth antidotes overfluoridation of water…

Fishing hooks left behind due to snags are also of concern…

Any help would be much appreciated…Winter 2013 for us was the coldest in 50 years…

Our wildlife including humans are needing some help up here in Canada…

Thank you,

Sari Grove

GroveCanada.ca
416-924-9725 (Toronto)