Unfortunately, mute swans are open game in just about every state. There is an erroneous thought that they are a feral population (not native to North America). However, if people actually did research, they would find that mute swans have naturally migrated from Russia to Alaska, Canada and even Washington state.

Most purists feel that if something is not native to an area it is feral and therefore open game to be killed in order for native species not to be threatened or habitat to be destroyed by the non-native species. In some cases, this may be an acceptable thought such as the boa constrictors in Florida.

However, most purists can't see that the attitude of killing something to protect something else is extremely flawed. Take for instance the alligator.

In the 60's, alligators were nearly wiped out by anything from poaching to fragile eggs caused by DDT (pesticide) that causes eggs to be thin and survival rates not facilitated.

So, the state of Florida placed the alligator on the endangered species list, same as the Bald Eagle was placed by the U.S. Wildlife commission throughout the nation. With this protection, both of these species came back in tremendous form. It is estimated that there are now 2 1/2 million alligators in the state of Florida which has now placed the alligator on the protected species list so that no further poaching can ever wipe the species out.

Bald eagles have also made a tremendous come back throughout the U.S. Why, because once an animal is placed in protective status so that poaching or human causes can be mitigated, many other causes of their demise do not total as many deaths as with the addition of human predation. Hope this makes sense.

Now, let's look at what is happening. Because the alligators are strong in their comeback, some are considered nuisances due to their being fed, existing in places that are deemed too dangerous for people. The solution, issue permits for hunting to help cull the alligator, not to relocate any alligators over 4 feet and having them killed.

Bald eagles are now also on the protected species list and in some states, Washington and Alaska, fishermen are seeing them as competition in eating large amounts of fish thus removing large number of fish from the net. Solution: some individuals are petitioning the states to kill and cull some of the Bald Eagle flocks due to finanical concerns.

California has allowed some sea lions to be killed in order to protect fisheries from being eaten and even fish schools in certain areas to allow for more fish for the net (financial concern).

Many years ago, the state of Florida allowed the cane toads to be introduced into the sugar cane fields in South Florida to eat a copious amount of insects to protect the sugar cane crop (financial concern). The result: Florida has cane toads (which are extremely toxic if eaten and can kill dogs and cats, even poison humans that may touch them). The cane toads are now migrating as far north as Polk County and surrounding counties. Solution, kill the toads and try to mitigate the damage caused by the toads which can grow rather large.

These cases go on and on. Animals and plants that even though migrated into areas naturally, are being lumped together with non-native species that people and yes, state and federal wildlife commissions have allowed to be introduced. In the Chesapeake bay area of Maryland, swans are being killed due to the research stating that the swans are eating copious amounts of aquatic vegetation which native aquatic animals, birds and other life must require for their livelihood. Many state that the mute swan is displacing habitats for the native Trumpeter swans.

Other research dispels the position that the aquatic vegetation is being displaced by the mute swan and that rather, the vegetation is being harmed by the dumping and spilliage of waste from pig farms in the area. Nothing is being said about the dumping of pig farm waste into the bay area because, you guessed it (Financial concerns).

So, the answer, kill the mute swans in the area and hope for a comeback of the Trumpeter swans. What will be the result in years if the Trumpeters or other animals make a tremendous comeback, Give someone a hunting license to cull the flock, herd, etc. so that the Trumpeters or other species no longer can wipe out something deemed as essential to other species. Now, we have wiped out the Mute Swans to protect the Trumpeters which will ultimately be culled if they make a comeback and the trend continues on and on.

We know that this has been quite the explanation, probably a lot longer than you ever could imagine, but the original answer is no there is no law against killing a swan just because someone deems it not native and can no longer get federal wildlife monies if they allow "non-native" species in their area.

What can you do? Start petitions to stop wildlife commissions and entities from killing species unless they can specifically and without a doubt show habitat displacement or death from non-native species. This means no reputable evidence (unlike Maryland in which there is reputable evidence of the pig farms).

Finally, most wildlife commission (states) have more law enforcement powers and control because they answer to their own experts and not senates or representatives. People need to make the wildlife officials answer to the people and not their own commissions just like any other public entity. We hope this helps in the future as obviously, it is sad and unfortunate that a swan's life was taken in order to do something that most people cannot comprehend: How to take care of offspring and family. The Regal Swan