I have an island at the end of a 20 acre fresh water pond. Very eco-clean. The pond has fish, snapping turtles that i cant seem to get rid of, resident woodchucks. The rest of my 50 acres has coyotes, owls, hawks, wild turkeys, raccoons, deer. Its a zoo.
My problem is i cant keep my swans safe!! I moved here a little over 3 years ago, since the two male/female swans i inherited from the previous owner who had them for 6 years were killed by coyotes that SWAM to the island while during nesting. I bought two more ( wings clipped) and the male was accidentally killed when it caught itself on a hidden rope that held a circulating de-icing pump in place ( which never happened to the previous owner and has since be changed) I then bought a NEW male who re- bonded with the female but he was just killed on the island again by, we believe to be an owl, but we just don't know. His neck and head were chewed like a spare rib. This was not a coyote.The female survived with one cygnet, but the cygnet disappeared a week after this tragedy.The female looks depressed, but i could be projecting. Should i just give up!? I want the female to have company but i do not want to continue to bring defenseless swans ( clipped wings) into an area that is not safe.