Public outcry has convinced New York officials to forgo their plan to slaughter 2,500 "nuisance" swans; birth control will be used to regulate the population of the birds instead.
The State Department of Environmental Conservation hopes to eradicate the birds by the year 2025, and had planned to shoot or gas them, the New York Post reported. They will now turn to methods like painting swan eggs with oil to keep them from hatching.
The swans have been deemed an "aggressive, invasive species" that are a threat to both local wildlife and humans, Reuters reported.
"The draft plan for management for mute swans received significant public interest and DEC received many thoughtful and substantive comments," Commissioner Joe Martens said in a statement, Reuters reported. "The DEC will consider lethal means to achieve the management plan's intended goals."
The birds were imported from Europe and Asia in the 1800's, people were attracted to the swans' grace and appearance and used them to decorate parks and estates.
When the place to eradicate the birds was announced it was met with strong opposition to animal rights groups, who said the claim the birds were invasive or threatening were "unfounded."
"This is a slippery slope for wildlife management in New York State, with the swans paying the ultimate price," the group Save Mute Swans said in a statement, Reuters reported.
Over 16,000 people sent the DEC letters in defense of the iconic birds, over 30,000 people signed a petition, the New York Post reported
"The big victory is that they're not going to slaughter the swans of Sheepshead Bay," Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz told the New York Post. "Sheepshead Bay wouldn't be the same without the mute swans. They're synonymous with grace and beauty. Yes, they may hiss sometimes, but this is New York, so they're entitled."
