Readers reported that a whole clutch of dead swans was found on the Ciglana 2 lake, on the border between Dugo Selo and Rugvića. According to her account, the death lasted about two weeks and included both male and female.
In response to the question of the City of Dugo Selo, the answer was given by the Dugo Selo – Rugvića Association. The society states that upon learning of the incident, they did everything in their power and authority to respond promptly. Fishermen, as they say, have informed the relevant authorities, including the Dugo Selo municipal service and the Dugo S veterinarian.
The dead swans were removed from the lake and, upon the arrival of the veterinary service, were handed over for examination to determine the cause of death. According to the information provided by the veterinarian involved in this case, the death of young swans is linked to attacks by larger, adult swans. The Dugo S – Rugvića Association has video recordings of the mutual conflicts between adult individuals, showing the territorial behaviour characteristic of these birds.
The society states that it has informed the relevant authorities and experts about each problem, including the death of swans, and taken all necessary steps to manage the affected animals and the subsequent procedure. They add that they continuously monitor the situation on the waters they manage and, in the event of a problem, promptly involve the relevant authorities.
The Dugo S – Rugvića Association points out the problem of frequent feeding of swans with bread, pastries and human food. Such feeding is not suitable for water birds, can affect their natural behaviour and lead to the gathering of a large number of individuals in a limited space. Uneaten food that ends up in the lake puts pressure on the aquatic ecosystem and negatively affects the quality of the water.
The D – I appeal to the public to treat animals and their habitat responsibly and to report any problems to the relevant fishery officers.
