Swan attacked by idiot in boat

From an Ontario Nature newsletter I received this week:

On November 10, 2006, two field naturalists, both members of Ontario Nature, witnessed a man operating a power boat on Lake Simcoe, driving at high speed directly at a trumpeter swan. The swan was not struck but was injured by the wake as the boat continued to harass and circle the swan.

The two naturalists took pictures of the boat and driver and were able to locate the boat for the South Simcoe Police. A 25 year old Innisfil man surrendered himself to police and has been charged under both the Federal Migratory Birds Convention Act and the Small Vessel Regulations.

The injured trumpeter swan was located not far from the incident and a rescue was organized by the two naturalists along with the Toronto Wildlife Center and Wye Marsh. The swan was successfully captured and taken to the University of Guelph Veterinary College for treatment of her injuries.

Her wing had a bad break and needed surgery. Since she may not fly again the Wye Marsh agreed to keep her there and hopefully she will find a mate and still breed. The rehabilitation of this swan was estimated to cost over $2,000.

The two club members of the Barrie Brereton Nature Club and the Six Mile Lake Conservationists Club have worked very hard to do the right thing for this swan. Without their persistence and determination this swan would probably have frozen to death on the lake. They are organizing a couple of fund raising events and have committed to raising enough money to cover the cost of the rehabilitation of this magnificent bird.

We are asking that the Ontario Nature clubs and members support the efforts to save this swan by donating to a swan fund. The funds will be used to pay for the swan and any excess funds will be donated to the Toronto Wildlife Center and to the Wye Marsh Swan program.

Donations can be sent to:
Brereton Field Naturalists Club
c/o Brian Gibbon, 24 George St. Barrie Ontario L4N 5N3
Please make cheques out to Brereton Field Naturalists Club and write SWAN FUND on the bottom of the cheque.
A tax receipt will be issued for any amounts over $10.00.

For more information contact:
Anne Lewis, President
Six Mile Lake Conservationists Club
PO Box 49 Mactier, ON P0C 1H0
705-756-8425
sixmiler@yahoo.com

Update:
JJ the rescued trumpeter swan had surgery January 20th and it went very well. She is now recovering at the Wye Marsh. The surgery cost $1,500.00.

Jennifer Howard, her son Jeff and others from the Wye Marsh, Six Mile Conservation Club and the Brereton Field Naturalists will be organizing a work day this spring at the Wye Marsh to improve the area where JJ will live with 2 other trumpeters.

The charges to the man who ran at JJ with his boat on Lake Simcoe are still pending.