Five pet swans escaped in Maryland; descendants later neared 4,000
A small group of mute swans that escaped in Maryland in 1962 grew into a population of nearly 4,000, causing significant ecological concerns. These invasive birds consume large amounts of aquatic vegetation, threatening the habitat of native species in the Chesapeake Bay.
Why it matters
The rapid population growth of invasive species highlights the long-term ecological impact of human-introduced animals on local biodiversity and environmental restoration efforts.
In 1962, five mute swans escaped from an estate in Talbot County, Maryland. More than four decades later, their descendants had grown to nearly 4,000 in the Chesapeake Bay region. As their numbers rose across the Chesapeake Bay region, so did concerns about how much underwater vegetation they were consuming and how they were affecting native birds.The Maryland Invasive Species Council said in 2005 that the population had more than doubled nine times in 40 years and was approaching another doubling. The US Geological Survey, in a 2002 publication, put the Chesapeake Bay population at about 4,500.Mute swans are native to Europe and Asia and are considered an invasive species in the Chesapeake Bay.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in