Where are suddenly all the Zurich swans?

you dominate in summer, the image of the waters: On the Utoquai, on the Limmat, at the Bürkliplatz – dozens of elegant white mute swans that populate the pedestrian's feet, and hanging over the lake of Zurich. Just where disappear the swans in the Winter? The concern, reached the "Tages-Anzeiger"editorial office via e-Mail: "to Be regulated these animals around, as they say,?" The Population of around 15'000 city of pigeon with kills, you must get a handle on, is known. But whether it is the swans similar?

Less to the Hotspots

for the First time: the all-clear. "Swans are protected animals, they may not shoot", says Christian Breitler, competent game warden for birds throughout the city. "Existing regulations are allowed only in the case of the animals, which are permitted by the hunting act." In addition, the swans are wild animals, and as such, you should treat them also. That you do not show up in the Winter to the same Hotspots have more to do with it, that you expect less food. But: "You should not wild-feeding animals, in principle," says Castro.

And the Ranger cannot agree with the observation: "he Who runs today from the vegetables bridge to the redoubt ditch, hits, depending on the time of day several dozen swans," he says. The swans would warm up for foraging in the Winter, just in larger areas on the lake exclusive. Some would even fly to the country, to feed on the fields: worms on harvested fields, schilfige plants, Grass, grain. Swans feed with preference to vegetable, you can fly several 1000 kilometers. The Zurich swans spend the winter mainly in the Canton. They often live to be monogamous over several years, together as couples or as a loner. This is different, for example, of the ducks that live in groups.

These have now to do other things to: "The sounds of the night now, it is a group courtship, a social event," says Castro. Besides, it also interferes with the Feeding: "In the case of the ducks, an Overpopulation of males in urban areas," says Castro. By feeding by passers-by, the Problem is amplified.

winter guests from Poland

the Swiss ornithological Institute in Sempach may not confirm the swans-loss. Rather it be in Winter, even more: "mute swans from Germany, the Baltic, Poland and Lithuania are frequent winter guests in Switzerland," says biologist Livio Rey. Last fall was even found to have a maximum stock level of 8200 hump swans. In Switzerland live on average between 590 to 720 breeding pairs.

Created: 02.12.2019, 17:18 PM