Lake Garda Swan Brutality Highlights Wildlife Protection Violations

They approached the nest, beat a female swan to death with a stick, and took away the eggs she was incubating. The sad discovery was made by a man who, the next morning, while walking along the shore of Lake Garda near Pacengo, found the animal motionless, with its neck broken.

Reactions and statements

“Whoever was responsible,” states Francesco Di Grazia, head of the Lipu (Lega Italiana Protezione Uccelli) guards in Verona, “knew they had an easy game, because swans, when incubating, never abandon their eggs for any reason and therefore don’t leave the nest: they are willing to be killed just to protect their young.”

This kind of brutality is not new. “For some years now, swans have been targeted,” says Di Grazia. “They are often found dead: recent cases have been reported in Peschiera and along the Mincio. Eggs also frequently disappear. Some say they are a nuisance to fishermen, but the rumor is that they are being eaten. It is said that a swan is sold for 50,000 lire per kilogram, but some even steal cygnets to sell them. In Bardolino, there was even someone who seized a swan and took it home.”

Protection and laws

It is therefore a tough life for the lakes’ kings, which have a single flaw. They have become domesticated and thus no longer fear human presence. “But swans are protected animals,” emphasizes Di Grazia, “they cannot be killed, captured, or even kept in a garden. To acquire one, you must request it from an authorized breeding facility, and the swan you purchase must be ringed and have provenance documents.”

Regarding the killed swan and the disappearance of the eggs, Lipu will proceed with a report against unknown individuals. “Human stupidity and cruelty know no limits and are expressed even through these degrading acts,” laments the Lipu leader. “Why do we kill animals that do no harm to anyone? Besides being illegal and punishable by law, these acts are certainly not a credit to the human race.”

Chiara Tajoli