Lake McLarty Black Swan Cygnets Face Foxes as Rescuers Await Approvals
Wildlife rescuers are racing to save about 60 black swan cygnets at a fast-drying Lake McLarty, south of Perth, as foxes pick off abandoned birds.
Wildlife rescuers are racing to save about 60 black swan cygnets at a fast-drying Lake McLarty, south of Perth, as foxes pick off abandoned birds. They say red tape has slowed the effort.
The community-led operation aims to protect more than 50 vulnerable or abandoned cygnets at the lake, about 90 kilometres south of Perth and south of Mandurah. Rescue groups spent most of the day negotiating the terms of their work with Western Australia's Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), which manages the reserve.
"Really quite urgent"
Rachel Olsen, from WA Seabird Rescue, said her group had only just learned of the situation. "We were only just made aware of the situation, but it is really quite urgent," she said.
She went out early in the morning. "As of this morning, I went out really early; the water level is down, and there's only about 60 cygnets left," Olsen said.
She voiced frustration with the approvals process as foxes took cygnets that had been left behind. Rescuers claim government approvals have hampered their efforts.
The department's position
DBCA says wildlife rescuers are allowed to access the reserve. It also warned of public safety risks and was wary of a large-scale rescue operation at the site.
The lake's falling water level is the pressure point. Rescuers have said little time remains for the cygnets still at the water's edge.
The rescue was expected to go ahead in the afternoon, after the terms were settled with the department.
