In ancient England, by law, mute swans could only be owned with the approval of the Crown and most were semi-domesticated. Today, most mute swans belong to the Queen and it is illegal to kill them. As an introduced non-native species, mute swans have flourished in North America since their introduction and their numbers have increased dramatically in recent years. Surveys of birds in the Atlantic Flyway show an increase from 5,800 birds in 1986 to 10,268 in 1996, and the increase is now considered out of control. In the face of emotional, vocal, and largely ignorant public opposition to killing swans, resource bureaucrats have ignored the warnings of biologists that populations must be reduced.
Mute swans are large, powerful, and often dangerous.
The largest male on record weighed 50.7 pounds. They are one of the few species that will fight each other to death. One swan was observed crushing a galvanized bucket and another attacked a 19-foot motorboat. They will attack humans on jet-skis. Mute swans are becoming a menace in many states but control is opposed vehemently by animal lovers.