Alfie the Swan Has Been Rescued & Relocated
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July 13, 2021Alfie the Swan Has Been Rescued & Relocated
Alfie the Swan Has Been Rescued & Relocated
A mute swan, beloved by some, was set to be euthanized after wildlife officials deemed him dangerously aggressive.
Brick Resident, Irene Almeida Led the Fight to Save Alfie
According to Irene Almeida, who is a Brick Resident, Alfie which is an adult male mute swan, has paddled the waterways in a part of Brick Township known as Seawood Harbor for a number of years. “He’s been here forever,” Ms. Almeida said of Alfie, a name that she gave him.
Federal wildlife officials, however, recently received a complaint that the swan was aggressive. After some users of Jet Skis and other personal watercraft complained to federal wildlife officials that he had been dangerously aggressive in their interactions with him. Ms. Almeida disputed the claim. She said that rather than steer clear of the swan when crossing his path, certain jet ski riders had taken pleasure in provoking him by circling close to him until he became agitated and then filming his reactions on their phones. “The problem is that some people won’t leave him alone,” she said.Holzapfel, McGuckin & Catalano Praise Rescue & Relocation of Alfie the Swan
Ms. Almeida said to many of her neighbors, Alfie was not threatening in any way.
Nonetheless, at least one local resident contacted federal wildlife officials to complain about the swan’s behavior. An inspector visited the area last month, and, according to a Department of Agriculture spokeswoman, witnessed the bird behaving dangerously around people. “During one of the visits in June 2021, the swan was seen attacking a jet ski multiple times,” the spokeswoman, Tanya Espinosa, said. After several complaints against Alfie it was determined that he would be put down. “The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife does not authorize relocation for mute swan since they are an exotic species,” Ms. Espinosa said. “Because relocation isn’t allowed by New Jersey, the only option is to humanely euthanize an aggressive bird.” The Almeidas and other residents of Seawood Harbor, which is a section of Brick Township, refused to accept that. They contacted the operator of a local animal rescue organization, who agreed to take Alfie if the swan could be brought there. But transporting an animal under such circumstances requires a permit from New Jersey’s wildlife enforcement agency. The swan’s supporters sought the help of Brick Township Mayor Ducey and other elected officials, including the office of the 10th Legislative District State Senator James W. Holzapfel, Assemblyman Gregory McGuckin and Assemblyman John Catalano in trying to get the permit. This time, the Ocean County representatives lobbied government officials to give Alfie a break.
And then something unexpected happened that actually saved Alfie.
The director of Popcorn Park Zoo, John Bergmann, the rescue organization that had agreed to take Alfie, got a call Friday afternoon. There was a swan in the waters near Seawood Harbor with fishing line wrapped around its beak and in need of help. After receiving that call, Mr. Bergmann drove to Brick Township, rescued the swan in need and put it into his vehicle and drove back to his facility. “I’m pretty sure it’s the same swan,” he said in a phone interview, adding that, given the bureaucratic obstacles to trying to move the bird, the tangle of fishing line had “probably saved his life.” Late Friday, the rescued swan’s identity still awaited official confirmation. But the likelihood that it was Alfie, and that he had made his way to Ms. Almeida’s desired location even without the necessary paperwork, was welcome news to her. “If it’s our swan,” she said, “I love it.”
