BRICK – A male swan that was deemed aggressive by NJ Fish & Wildlife and was slated for euthanasia has received national news coverage after dozens of Seawood Harbor residents tried to save the bird. They said it was jet skiers who were being aggressive and the swan was only protecting his family of six cygnets (see The Brick Times July 17, 2021).
In an unexpected turn of events, the swan became entangled in fishing line and was rescued by John Bergmann, who is the director of the animal sanctuary, Popcorn Park Zoo in Forked River.
“Alfie,” as the residents of Seawood Harbor have named the swan, is recovering from his injuries in an enclosed area of the sanctuary, where he will have to live for the rest of his life, Bergmann said in a recent phone interview.
“At least he won’t be euthanized,” he said. “I would love to reunite him with his family where he belongs, but because of how things were handled with the jet skis and everything, NJ Fish & Wildlife won’t allow them to be reunited.”
Once Alfie recovers, he would have his flight feathers clipped and would be moved to an area where he could swim – but not fly – within the sanctuary, Bergmann said.
Chasing jet skiers and getting aggressive when people get too close is the swan’s defense mechanism, he said.
“He’s just trying to protect his family. We need to educate people how to act around wildlife. These things shouldn’t happen. It’s a shame,” Bergmann said.
Asked if the swan family could be reunited at the animal sanctuary, Bergmann said he’s waiting for the dust to settle, but NJ Fish & Wildlife would not allow it.
Meanwhile, the outrage over Alfie’s fate continues to grow among the residents, who have started a Facebook page that has about 350 members.
“We have over 100 people who say they’ll show up if we need them, and who are on our email list,” said Seawood Harbor resident Irene Almeida, who said there is a core group of six people who are working to get “Alfie’s Law” legislation passed.
Wildlife Policy Director of the Animal Protection League Susan Russell said there are several parties who are drafting legislation that will respond to “this substantial public concern over what’s happening to swans on a number of levels, including the recreational harassment, and the state-sponsored eradication.
“They’re working on it, and nobody’s going to stop because there’s too much of it,” she said.
“Our organization hears about it all the time, and the public interest is so strong – it always is with swans – so it’s time for lawmakers to respond by protecting this beautiful, majestic bird,” Russell said.
The Seawood Harbor residents reached out to Brick Mayor John G. Ducey to ask for the township’s help in placing signage near natural areas to protect the swans.
The mayor said it is already on the township’s Land Use Committee agenda for their next meeting.
“We are looking at signage concerning staying away from swans,” he said. “The signs would be placed in strategic areas after a request has been made by a resident.”
Meanwhile, Almeida said residents are still hopeful that the swan family could be reunited. “We’re limited in what we’re allowed to do because NJ Fish & Wildlife have been missing in action at this point,” she said. “We haven’t heard from them at all.”
The female swan and the six cygnets still live in Seawood Harbor, but they don’t come out into the open as they did when the family was intact, Almeida said.
“They’re doing well, but they tend to stay in the wetlands at this point, so we don’t see them as often,” she said.
