New York Environment Group Withdraws Swan Eradication Bill for Further Review

Last month, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation's proposal to kill the remaining 2,200 mute swans in the state was delayed yet again by legislators. The delay has perhaps changed the plans of the environmental group.

Yesterday, following constant pressure from public protests and opposition from New York legislators and politicians, the Department of Environmental Conservation withdrew the bill for further review. In February, the bill's consideration was delayed for two more years after being previously shunned.

The bill's provisions sparked a lot of controversy, prompting animal lovers to flood the environmental department with over 16,000 letters of protest. The New York Times ran an op-ed article in opposition of the bill, and many of the state's political figures showed their discontent as well.

The state's environmentalists consider these swans a "prohibitive invasive species" because they (1) diminish wetlands; (2) displace native birds; (3) are aggressive towards humans and; (4) disrupt local aviation. Four pretty considerable reasons to request depopulation or relocation efforts.

However, after careful analysis of the proposal, New York state officials claim that the science and research that was used to draft the plan is inconclusive. Their rebuttal claimed that the swans are defensive and not aggressive, due to human encroachment of their nests and babies. Additionally, the swans only displace .5% of New York's waterfowl, which has a small than minute effect on the state's ecosystem.

They believe that the destroying of swan nests, puncturing of eggs, and shooting or gassing swans living on public land was too drastic of measures to be taken. Therefore, the bill was delayed for consideration and it would be two years before it was reviewed again.

But the environmental group withdrew the bill yesterday and plan to review it by possibly providing more credible research and comprehensive plan to solving the swan population. Their goal was to have the "swan problem" solved by 2025, which still remains within reach.

To read more about the mute swan eradication bill, visit this NBC News article.