Two injured baby swans in Prospect Park spark concerns over off-leash dogs
Volunteers with the Prospect Park Swan Squad say the two juvenile swans were discovered about two weeks ago with deep wounds near their eyes.
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Two baby swans are recovering after being found badly injured at a lake in Prospect Park, and wildlife volunteers say the harm appears to be linked to people not following park rules.
Volunteers with the Prospect Park Swan Squad say the two juvenile swans were discovered about two weeks ago with deep wounds near their eyes. Both birds were taken to the Wild Bird Fund, where they are being treated and closely monitored.
“The wounds were pretty deep,” said Mary Beth Artz, a volunteer wildlife rehabilitator with the swan squad. “Both needed sutures, and one of them may lose its vision. They’re going to be there for at least another week.”
Artz said the injuries are consistent with what volunteers have seen in past off-leash dog incidents. Swans often rest on land near the water, and unlike ducks, they cannot quickly take off to escape danger.
“If they’re resting on land and a dog runs up, they don’t have much time to defend themselves,” she said.
Under New York City rules, dogs must be on a leash in most areas of Prospect Park, including around the lake. Owners are also required to keep dogs from chasing birds and other wildlife. Off-leash hours are only allowed in specific areas and at designated times.
Volunteers say off-leash dogs are not the only threat.
Fishing line and discarded fishing gear left behind near the lake can seriously injure or kill birds. Artz says she and other volunteers regularly carry scissors to cut tangled line out of trees and bushes before animals get caught.
“This park is their home,” she said. “We need people to respect the wildlife that depend on this space to survive.”
Volunteers are urging park visitors to leash their dogs near the lake, properly dispose of fishing gear and keep their distance from wildlife. They also ask people to report injured animals to parks officials or wildlife rescue groups.
