Residents in Stratford, Ontario, have been urged to keep an eye out as five of the city’s iconic swans remain unaccounted for. This unusual situation began two weeks ago when Quin Malott, Stratford's parks and forestry manager, noticed a troubling change during his daily visit to Lake Victoria, where he usually feeds the swans.
On that day, Malott found that three out of the six swans he typically encountered were missing. Initially, he assumed they might have moved to another area near the local golf course. However, when he returned the following day, he was surprised to discover that all six swans were gone without a trace, including no feathers left behind to indicate what might have happened.
“So we started to do our search,” Malott explained. Days of searching along the river and investigating various stormwater retention ponds yielded no sign of the missing birds. The absence of these swans has sparked concern among local residents, many of whom have a strong emotional connection to the swans that contribute significantly to Stratford's charm.
Malott emphasized the importance of the swans to the Stratford community. With 18 swans currently in the remaining flock, he noted that they play a vital role in the city’s park system and enhance the ambiance around the famous Stratford Festival. Although there is no definitive evidence suggesting foul play, Malott speculated that the swans could have been taken, especially as the birds had grown accustomed to human interaction. “We would just have to shake a can of corn and then they would all come to somebody,” he mentioned, leaving open the possibility that they may have been captured.
Another theory proposed by Malott is that the swans may still be hiding in less visible areas along the lake, with tall grass obstructing sightlines. “It just seems strange that we don’t have any sign of it,” he remarked, pondering whether the birds may have flown away due to inadequate wing alterations to prevent flight.
Earlier in the week, a spark of hope emerged when residents began reporting sightings of one of the fugitive swans trapped in a stormwater retention pond in the northern part of the city. Plans were set in motion to safely recover this bird, with Malott stating, “We just had to feed it up a little. It’s a bit timid right now, so we’re going to feed it up for a few days so we can get close enough to catch it.”
Malott expressed optimism that appealing to the public might aid in locating the remaining missing swans, particularly as the city has opted not to use tracking devices on these birds. The community’s involvement could be pivotal in bringing these beloved creatures back home, ensuring they once again grace the waters of Lake Victoria.
