A beloved Scarborough swan named Mango, who had garnered an international fan base, has unfortunately passed away. The trumpeter swan, a familiar sight at the Scarborough Bluffs and along the Lake Ontario shoreline, was euthanized on Tuesday after spending three weeks under the care of the Toronto Wildlife Centre (TWC).
Mango, identified by the tag Y37, had been suffering from lead poisoning, which was likely caused by ingesting lead shot and lead fishing sinkers. He was admitted to the Toronto Wildlife Centre on August 20th, after previous treatments.
The swan captured the hearts of many online, particularly when he and his mate, Charlotte, became viral sensations in May of the previous year. This was after TWC shared a video showing their emotional reunion following Mango's recovery from a treatment for a cut on his beak.
Nathalie Karvonen, the director of TWC, stated that Mango had been in the centre's care at least five times over the years, with every instance related to fishing debris. She emphasized that TWC regularly treats various wildlife including birds and turtles which suffer injuries caused by fishing waste.
“Fishing hooks, lures, fishing line, sinkers can badly injure or kill wildlife, and sadly, it’s one of the things we see over and over again,” Karvonen explained. She noted that waterfowl tend to forage along the lakebed and often mistake lead shot or sinkers for pebbles. While pebbles assist swans with their digestion, ingesting lead results in severe illness.
With Mango's passing, attention has also turned to his mate, Charlotte. Karvonen commented, “She will certainly know he’s gone. She may or may not take another mate in the future, but she will probably wait for him for quite some time to come back.”
In light of this tragedy, Karvonen urged anyone who fishes or spends time outdoors to clean up trash, whether it is related to fishing or not. This call for responsibility highlights the impact of human activities on local wildlife.
Moreover, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association has been advocating for a ban on the use of lead fishing weights, jigs, and shot due to the detrimental effects on both wildlife and environmental health. They argue that the indirect and direct harm this pollution brings should not be overlooked.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing issues surrounding wildlife and environmental conservation. It underscores the critical need for increased awareness and action to protect vulnerable species like Mango and the ecosystems they inhabit.
