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There are no baby swans at Bluffer’s Park anymore.
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They have been removed for their own safety as people have been feeding them bread, which officials say is bad for their health.
The grown swans known as “Charlotte” and “Mango” had five cygnets in the spring but only two lived.
The two surviving swans were taken away this week after it was discovered they had a condition called ‘angel wing.’
If this condition isn’t treated, officials said the swans wouldn’t be able to fly.
Nathalie Karvonen, the executive director of the Toronto Wildlife Centre, said ‘angel wing’ happens when people feed the birds items such as bread.
“Swans can potentially fill up on something like bread, which is not only bad for them, but it also means they’re also not eating something that’s good for them. They’re filling up on something that’s not nutritious.” Karvonen told 680 News Radio.
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Karvonen said the birds need a proper diet to properly grow.
The baby swans have been relocated to Shades of Hope Wildlife Refuge near Lake Simcoe for treatment.
After treatment, the birds will be released in a controlled environment.
In Toronto, there are bylaws prohibiting people from feeding wildlife. Bluffer’s Park has signs advising visitors to not feed wildlife.
Karvonen said the city should start fining people who break the rules.
“You can’t even park your car in places in Toronto five minutes past the time you’ve parked it without getting a parking ticket so I don’t understand personally why we need to let people off the hook who are actually resulting in harm coming to animals. I would be supportive of more education but also charging people with fines as well,” she told 680 News Radio.
In April, the wildlife centre released video of two trumpeter swans reuniting after being apart for days.
The pair had been separated after a TWC’s volunteer spotted one of the birds with blood on its feathers.
The bird was captured but the injury wasn’t serious.
After treatment, the swan was taken back to Bluffer’s Park and the birds were reunited.
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