NAVARINO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Department of Natural Resources has launched a criminal investigation after three juvenile Trumpeter swans were found shot to death Sunday at the Navarino Wildlife Area in Shawano County.
This summer, visitors to the area have been treated to the young family of Trumpeter swans, often found just off McDonald Road.
The three that were killed were part of an original group of seven born this spring, according to nature officials. Only one possibly remains, because three others died in nature, weeks before the recent killings.
Tim Ewing, the director and naturalist for the Navarino Nature Center, says this is hitting some people hard as they watched the young ones grow all summer.
“They lasted here until August, we are talking these guys would have been about the size of a small goose,” said Ewing. “Then you get the news that something like this happened and it’s a real letdown.”
A great blue heron was also found dead on Monday.
DNR Warden Clark Delzer says that death is likely related to the Trumpeter swans.
Both bird species are protected, as you can’t hunt them.
“When you talk about success stories of protection of a species, this is one (Trumpeter swan) that we were able to bring back from being endangered to a healthy population state,” said Delzer. “To have something like this happen, it hits you a little bit. It’s something you want to work towards to resolve.”
The fact there are no hunting seasons going on right now has nature experts saying these killings were no accident.
“It’s very blatant,” said Ewing. “Done right there off the road. Somebody just either wasn’t thinking or they got a lot of guts or something else was going on because this is right in your face and that hurts.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 800-847-9367. Information can also be submitted online.
