January 7, 2010 in News, Outdoors

Birdwatchers unite to catch killer of rare trumpeter swan

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Courtesy of Warren Current photo

Stevens County birdwatcher Warren Current photographed this adult trumpeter swan after it had been wounded by a shooter on the Colville River west of Colville, Wash., on Dec. 28. The swan later was euthanized by a Washington Fish and Wildlife Department officer. Outraged birders and local residents have donated at least $1,600 for a reward fund to for tips that lead to the arrest of the shooter. Trumpeter swans are a protected species in Washington.
(Full-size photo)

A wildlife murder mystery is unfolding in the Colville River Valley with possible links to one of the region’s remarkable romance stories.

Birdwatchers and angry local residents already have built a reward of at least $1,600 for tips regarding the shooting of an adult trumpeter swan in the early afternoon on Dec. 28. The incident occurred about three miles west of Colville where the Valley-Westside Road crosses the Colville River.

Heavy on the minds of area birders is the possibility the dead swan could be the Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge trumpeter nicknamed Solo, or the long-sought mate the cob found last spring. On Father’s Day, the pair hatched the first brood of cygnets on the refuge in more than 20 years.

Speculation brews from the rarity of trumpeter swans in this area during winter, coupled with refuge records indicating Solo has reappeared at Turnbull every year for decades within days after the winter ice recedes enough for a landing on refuge ponds.

Nobody knows where Solo has spent winter in the 33-46 years he’s returned to Turnbull. But perhaps it hasn’t been too far away.

Few people have recorded seeing rare trumpeter swans in this region in late December or January.

“Last year was the first time I’ve seen any in this area during winter, and that was in the Little Spokane River drainage,” said Jim Acton, one of the Spokane area’s senior birdwatching record keepers.

Warren Current, an active birder who lives near Colville, said he’d never seen a trumpeter in the Colville Valley during winter – until Dec. 28, when birding friend Joe Smith called with the exciting news that he’d spotted three trumpeters – apparently two adults and a young bird of the year – hanging out by the bridge Current crosses daily to his home.

“When I got there, I could see only one swan,” Current said. “It was sitting up on the ice along the river. It had red on its wing and back.”

The trumpeter swan is widely regarded as a symbol of elegance, with its long arching neck, snow-white feathers, jet-black bill, feet, and legs and an 8-foot wingspan.

Through a spotting scope, a thin orange-red line can be seen on the lower part of the bill, distinguishing the trumpeter from its 50 percent smaller and more common cousin, the tundra swan. Trumpeter numbers declined to as few as 70 worldwide before federal protection and conservation efforts enabled them to rebound to a North American population of about 16,000.

The shooting of one of the first trumpeters to be identified wintering in the region has angered birdwatchers still numb from the drinking-related shooting of a common loon at Yocum Lake in June.

“The swan shooting does not appear to be hunting-related,” said Madonna Luers, Fish and Wildlife Department spokeswoman. “It’s more like another random act of senselessness.”

“This was a malicious act that demands public response,” said Current, who’s handling the donations for the reward to bag the poacher.

A Fish and Wildlife officer was on the shooting scene quickly along with Tina Matney, a local wildlife rehabilitator.

“They tried to capture the wounded swan, but it was difficult with the ice along the river,” Luers said. “Once they got a good look, they determined the swan was wounded too severely to survive, so the officer put it out of its misery.”

Unfortunately, ice and darkness prevented the would-be rescuers from retrieving the carcass.

The wildlife officer collected evidence at the scene and talked to people who saw a grayish vehicle nearby after hearing several shots fired.

“We’re looking for anyone who might be able to give us more information,” Luers said.

Current said a lone trumpeter was spotted a few days later on Lake Roosevelt at the mouth of the Colville River.

“We don’t know, but maybe two swans were shot and only one survived,” he said.

“The people who do these kinds of things usually brag about them,” said Mike Rule, Turnbull biologist. “I hope the reward prompts a tip.”

Meantime, he can only wait until March to see if any of the Turnbull trumpeters return.

Contact Rich Landers at (509) 459-5508 or e-mail richl@spokesman.com.

Eight comments on this story so far. Add yours!

• 

  Axe on January 07 at 9:13 a.m.

  Perhaps they could band together to find the killer of Otto Zehm? Oh never mind he’s out on bail, gainfully employed by the SPD, living in a $500,000 house and his defense attorney fees are being paid for by the tax payers.

• 

  madscientist on January 07 at 10:09 a.m.

  ENOUGH about OTTO ZEHM already. this story is about a SWAN, in a different county, not the Spokane Police. Enough is enough.

• 

  Axe on January 07 at 2:35 p.m.

  Enough will be when Otto’s murderer(s) swings at the end of a rope.

  I guess a swan is more important than a human being.

• 

  zerla on January 07 at 5:01 p.m.

  Or, maybe they’re both important, but each in its own place. This story is about the swan—also murdered. Anyone who would do this is probably a sociopath, and society will be well served to find him or her. Unfortunately, the law isn’t hard enough on people who abuse animals.

• 

  lewis8457 on January 08 at 9:21 a.m.

  Humans are the lowest form of life on this planet all the other animals live in harmony of life and survival. And then man thought he had control over them and started killing them for sport. And now we are where it has taken us. Someone dumped a little Pomeranian down at Kendal yards, as yet spokanimal has not tried to trap her. What we do to our animals is disgusting. I am afraid in this cold she wont last long. Not that anyone cares.

• 

  lewis8457 on January 08 at 9:24 a.m.

  Pomeranian down at Kendal yards has been there since Christmas day.

• 

  CEWebster on January 09 at 7:11 a.m.

  What a senseless act! I agree that the law isn’t harsh enough for animal abusers.

• 

  Dustin07 on January 20 at 9:11 a.m.

  wait… so nobody saw anyone shoot the swan. They heard shots, and later saw a wounded swan, which they were not able to retain, because of the ice/river.

  LOL @ liberal idiots.