Community Corner
UPDATE: Trumpeter Swan 88F Dies of Lead Poisoning
The bird was shot by a hunter in November and died on Tuesday.
UPDATE (Jan. 25, 2011, 7:05 p.m.): Sad news to report. Despite the efforts of the staff at WRC, Swan 88F did not survive. According to WRC Executive Director Phil Jenni, "We have never had a swan survive with the high lead level with which he came in."
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had reunited with his mate on the river here in Hudson several weeks ago, but is now back in the hospital. The swan had been shot near Grantsburg back in November. A concerned hunter had alerted the authorities that this bird needed help.
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A crew of local residents and wildlife specialists got together, and set about rounding up this bird. When you consider that adult Trumpeter swans weight between 20 and 30 pounds, and have seven foot wing spans, you begin to appreciate the massive effort needed to effect such a rescue. Several volunteers in canoes and kayaks did manage the feat though, and 88F, then known as 03A, was taken to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (WRC) in Roseville, MN, where, under the care of Veterinarian Leslie Reed, he recovered nicely from his wounds.
He was returned to his capture point only 10 days later, where he lingered alone for a few days. Rescuers worried that since his mate had moved south, he might not find her again.
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That changed when 88F was seen with his mate, Z51, on the St. Croix River here in Hudson. This welcome news was reported by several media outlets in the Twin Cities, and may account for our increased swan-watching traffic here in town.
The mated pair was here with all the other swans right up until last week, when someone in Hudson alerted the veterinarians at the rehabilitation center that 88F appeared ill. He was subsequently recaptured last week and is again in the capable hands of the center’s veterinarians. The prognosis is uncertain. 88F is currently suffering from lead poisoning due to the lead he likely ingested after his re-release back in November.
His lead levels were “off the chart” according to WRC spokesperson Lynnette Scott, and recovery from that condition is difficult. He is currently being treated with Calcium EDTA, which is used to detoxify heavy metal poisoning in humans as well. The swan's lead levels have come down some since he was readmitted to the clinic, and there is cautious optimism that he will recover enough to rejoin his mate here in Hudson, but Scott calls 88F’s current condition “guarded.”
