Ordered shootings

Expert refutes the sense of killing swans

According to Hans Frey, large groups of swans automatically disperse in spring(Bild: zVg)

In an expert opinion, researcher Hans Frey speaks out against the planned shooting of waterfowl in Garsten: Plants affected by droppings recover quickly in spring - apparently also thanks to animal fertilization. He suggests using milder means to deter the swans, such as the use of dogs.

There is still a lot of excitement about the killing of mute swans on the left bank of the Enns in Garsten ordered by the Steyr-Land district authority. As reported, at least five young swans must be shot there by May 31.

Angry farmers
Farmers had called for the measure because the number of waterfowl had apparently increased sharply and they were said to have trampled down and overcooked their meadows so that the affected grass plants could no longer be fed to cattle.

However, the Vienna Animal Welfare Association lodged an appeal against the authorities' decision. A decision by the provincial administrative court as the next higher instance is still pending.

Hans Frey does not think much of the officially ordered culls(Bild: Dr. Hans Frey)

Vegetation recovers quickly
The opponents of the cull have now received support from an expert opinion by veterinarian and bird expert Hans Frey, who runs an owl and bird of prey station in Haringsee (Lower Austria). "As herbivores, mute swans use meadows and rape fields near bodies of water as wintering grounds. They form larger groups. However, these areas are only suitable as long as the vegetation remains relatively low."

In spring, the groups break up because the adults go to their breeding grounds and the others disperse over a large area. Frey: "The vegetation recovers extremely quickly in spring - also helped by the accumulated bird droppings."

Dogs instead of shotguns
According to Frey, the hoped-for deterrent effect of killing birds is also not sustainable. "Past experience has shown that." The repeated use of suitable dogs (hunting dogs), for example, could be much more sustainable. In his opinion, however, nuisance swans could also be caught and relocated using cannon nets.