Unfortunately, many states deem Mute Swans to be an invasive species which research shows they are not. However, these same states refuse to consider the research and want them killed so that a larger swan species can be introduced into the areas that the Mute Swans live. The larger swans, Trumpeter Swans are being introduced by the US Wildlife Services and state wildlife entities so they can be hunted as a Trophy Waterfowl to help offset diminishing state and federal budgets. All of this at taxpayer cost. If the captive Mute Swans are not pinioned, state and federal wildlife officials will shoot them out of the sky and bill the owner for their removal. The Regal Swan