MANLIUS, N.Y. (AP) - Two years after a man was sentenced to weekends in jail for smashing swan eggs in a suburban Syracuse park, new state rules may force the village that owns the swans to destroy the latest clutch of eggs.
New rules adopted by the state Department of Environmental Conservation say the mute swan is an invasive species. A community like suburban Manlius can apply for a permit to keep the mute swans they already have in a park - providing they destroy any eggs.
Manlius Village Mayor Paul Whorrall tells the Syracuse Post-Standard (https://bit.ly/1IbGFUr ) the pair of swans and their cygnets in the village park are a popular attraction. He’s hoping to work something out with DEC so the eggs will be allowed to hatch.
Wildlife biologists say the non-native swans are aggressive and damaging to habitat.
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