Waterfowl lovers in Burlington had a scare this week after reports of a woman trying to kidnap a trumpeter swan at LaSalle Park.

But park-goers called police and an officer intervened around 10:30 a.m. Monday, Halton Regional Police media officer Const. Steve Elms said Wednesday.

“No swan was taken or harmed in this incident.”

Liz Benneian, a spokesperson for the Trumpeter Swan Coalition, says she’s relieved to hear the good news.

“I’m disturbed to hear that somebody was trying to take a swan and I’m very grateful that somebody called the police right away.”

Elms said there wasn’t enough evidence to prove the woman was trying to steal the swan.

Even so, he added, “It’s not theft because it’s a wild animal. There’s not an owner of the swan.”

There was no basis to lay animal cruelty charges, either, which is why the woman was only issued a warning, Elms said.

“You wonder what she was thinking, but I don’t know.”

Benneian said the trumpeter swans, which coalition members have tagged to help conserve the population, are accustomed to human contact.

“If you’ve ever been down to LaSalle Park, they’re pretty blase about people being around them.”

The coalition is still concerned about another swan — a male (A59, also known as Ace) that hasn’t been seen since Sunday.

“It’s gone missing from the beach and its family is still there, and that’s very unusual,” Benneian said.

She says trumpeter swans aren’t protected by the Endangered Species Act. “But no one is supposed to be interfering with migrating waterfowl.”

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On Feb. 18, there were about 200 trumpeter swans at LaSalle Park, which is about the maximum number for winter, she says.

Benneian says she’s received two emails from people who reported a dead swan on the road in Milton. The coalition is trying to figure out if it’s Ace.

Treviah Moro is a a reporter and editor with the Hamilton Spectator. Email: tmoro@thespec.com

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