Thursday, April 19, 2012

Swan Attack Causes Man to Drown.



A Mute Swan attacked a man in a kayak, causing it to capsize. Once the man was free of the kayak, the attack continued. Each time he would surface, the swan would force the man underwater. The swan did not stop until it was certain the poor guy was drowned. 
Mute Swans cupped and landing.


This happened at a housing project water retention pond. The man was actually the swan's "caretaker".  He was using the swans to attack any Canada Geese that approach the pond. The swan species involved here is the Mute Swan(Cygnus olor). An invasive species, native to Europe and Asia. Mute swans have been used as garden pond and mote guards for countless years.  

Humped, orange and black bill.
Our 30 lb, native Trumpeter Swan(Cygnus buccinator) is the largest waterfowl and will avoid contact with people and populated areas. While the Mute Swan thrives from human contact in urban areas. Swans are fascinating to watch but if you are in small watercraft, keep your distant.

Trumpeter Swan, largest waterfowl, native to North America.
  
If you would like to see more, visit the following links:



Los Angeles Time

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-killer-swan-attacks-chicago-man-until-he-drowns-20120416,0,1669472.story

MSNBC

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47064137/ns/local_news-anchorage_ak/t/killer-swan-attacks-illinois-caretaker-until-he-drowns/#.T43b2bNYtow

Yahoo Answers, UK

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061025082035AAPxtmy

BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17736292