Animal rights activists outraged

“Swan problem is a hyped-up issue”

The order issued by the Steyr-Land district authority to kill the swans was overturned(Bild: Sonja Muellner)

Employees of the animal welfare association Pfotenhilfe carried out a local inspection of the areas in Garsten that were allegedly severely damaged by water birds. They hardly saw any swans there and only came across a few faeces. The damage they found was allegedly not worth mentioning.

The heavily criticized decision by the BH Steyr-Land, according to which five young swans were to be shot in Garsten, has - as reported - been revoked by the regional administrative court. The reason given: An agricultural expert opinion proving the alleged agricultural damage had been waived. The one-year-old waterfowl may therefore not be killed for the time being.

Major damage claimed
A handful of farmers had originally cried out because up to 50 mute swans were cavorting in their meadows, eating, trampling down and heavily defecating on the grass. In addition to making harvesting conditions more difficult, this would mean that the harvest would have to be disposed of due to hygiene deficiencies.

Jürgen Stadler assessed the situation on site: "The farmers' claims are ridiculous!"(Bild: Pfotenhilfe Lochen)

No waterfowl in the early evening 
"We carried out a site inspection on the allegedly affected properties. By 4 p.m., however, there were no swans for the most part, and only eight could be seen on one of the meadows. Two hours later, we didn't see any swans at all," says Jürgen Stadler from Pfotenhilfe Lochen. Droppings were also only occasionally spotted. Stadler: "In our opinion, this is a hyped-up issue."

Hardly any adverse effects
The manure spread by landowners over a large area is a huge amount in comparison. But even this would hardly affect forage growth. "The meadows have already been mowed, but the first cut has not been disposed of," says Stadler, who is now renewing his offer to take in the five endangered young swans.