St. John's, N.L. — A pair of swans captured plenty attention in the west end of the city Monday morning when they appeared to have been trapped in ice on Mundy Pond.
However, according to city officials, the birds weren’t in any real danger.
The city received reports of the swans by 311 calls and by a pedestrian, who flagged down a passing city vehicle.
Efforts by some pedestrians to coax the swans out of the water were unsuccessful.
In a prepared statement to The Telegram from the City of St. John’s department of public works, city staff responded to see that the swans were surrounded by a thin layer of ice, but were able to swim.
“No immediate action was taken,” the statement reads. “The ice has since melted throughout the day.
“The swans are not in any danger. They are feeding normally and swimming in open water.”
Similar to other birds, swans are able to survive in winter conditions, it points out.
“They are acclimatized to local weather. Birds’ feathers provide insulation against the cold and the oil that coats feathers also provides waterproofing.”
In the coming weeks, city staff plans to transport the swans to winter quarters at Bowring Park.
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EARLIER STORY
Two swans are stuck in the ice at Mundy Pond in St. John’s this morning.
City officials were made aware of the situation through calls to 311 and by a pedestrian walking around the pond who flagged down a passing city vehicle.
The swans, which moved to the pond from Bowring Park a few years back, appear able to move their upper bodies, but their legs appear stuck beneath the ice, however, the larger of the two has managed to partially free one leg.
Efforts by pedestrians to coax the swans out of the water have been unsuccessful.
More to come.
