Edhat Staff
By edhat staff
Animal activists and rescue groups have been debating the recent rescue of five black swans in Santa Barbara’s Harbor in recent weeks.
At the beginning of the month, residents and visitors alike began marveling and snapping photos of the black swans that are rarely seen outside captivity in Southern California.
The swans were reportedly removed by a local animal rescue group and there appear to be some arguments over whether they should have been displaced at all.
An article published by the Montecito Journal and written by Gretchen Lieff (writer and Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network board member) and Nick Masuda, states the Animal Rescue Team led by Julia Di Sieno captured the five black swans.
“The scene was a chaotic one, as conflicting instructions led to some demanding that the black swans be left alone, while Di Sieno and her group believed the rescue effort was necessary due to the Harbor water containing materials potentially harmful to the herd,” the article reads.
Tony Masiel, President of the Santa Ynez Valley-based Animal Rescue Team, penned a letter to several local media outlets taking aim at Lieff alleging she engaged in “deplorable and disruptive behavior” during the rescue.
He claimed the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network (SBWCN) knew about the swans and failed to act and save the birds from what he deemed as an unsafe environment. He stated the Animal Rescue Team was able to rescue the swans, and “after a thorough assessment by a veterinarian” were relocated to a safe refuge at an undisclosed location.
“This was accomplished despite Gretchen’s disruption, and another SBWCN volunteer verbally assaulting ART during the rescue, even attempting to hinder the rescue effort by throwing stones at the swans to shoo them away,” wrote Masiel.
Shortly after his email, SBWCN responded with its own statement on the swan events. The nonprofit claims since receiving reports of the swan’s location, multiple staff members and volunteers to the harbor to actively monitor them. Their staff did not witness signs of distress or danger and received multiple reports of the swans flying, according to the statement.
“Since the day the swans arrived, SBWCN staff was actively communicating with the applicable federal and state agencies to determine the best course of action. SBWCN had a plan in place to safely retrieve the swans if and when it was determined they were in danger. The team was awaiting advice from an additional expert with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service during the time Animal Rescue Team (ART) was capturing the swans on Tuesday, May 4,” the statement reads.
Once captured, the swans were reportedly transported to SBWCN to be examined by veterinarian Dr. Avery Berkowitz. After a full exam, it was determined the swans were in good general health and ART transported them to a private home whose residents prefer to remain anonymous.
“Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network’s primary concern was the health and safety of the swans, and staff worked with ART throughout this process to ensure the best outcome for these animals,” the statement reads.
Whether the swans should have been rescued or should have been left alone appears to be up for debate.
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May 3, 2021: Black Swans in the Santa Barbara Harbor
The California Fish and Wildlife revoked the license of di Sieno’s Animal Rescue Team in 2019. It has not been restored – the agency is not listed on the state website; perhaps di Sieno is now an employee or volunteer with the SBWCN?
What right does she have to “rescue” these birds and transfer them to a private property and refuse to say where they have gone? I agree it seems wrong to prevent these birds from flying. Hopefully, the state agency should step in and determine what should have been done and should be done in future situations and, hopefully, free these birds or returning them to the original owner.
Why couldn’t they leave them alone? Why does some crazy rich white lady always need to “save” something?
Did the Wildlife Care Network agree to make the swans captives by placing them with people who will clip their wings? If so, I’ll need a pretty good explanation before I donate any more money to them. I realize that the swans aren’t native, but there doesn’t seem to be fear of them disrupting our ecosystem, so I think they should be free.
So are you saying SBWCN was in agreement with “saving” the swans? No more money from me.
I’ve heard plenty of negative comments about WCN. And personally, when I took an injured bird to them, they said they would let me know the outcome. When I called in I never got a call back. And a vol there told me that if you bring in a common wild animal like a crow, they normally just euthanize it because there are a bunch out there and they don’t want to spend their resources on an animal like that. Should I go on?
Isn’t Julia Parker a paid employee at WCN? Was she there helping catch the swans or to stop ART? How could WCN and F & W allow this. Leave the swans alone.
Is this the same woman or group that “rescued” a seal or sea lion, and the creature ended up being thrown out somewhere along the freeway? Maybe it fell out, but certainly it was not properly secured if it was laying injured along the side of the road. Seems like she and her activist buddies don’t really care about animals, but care more about their feelings and emotions. Leave the animals alone!
so a bunch of ‘heros’ ‘saved’ the swans eh? I’ve been around them from Fernald’s to the harbor. they looked perfectly fine, content and honking amongst themselves. In other words, the animals were kidnapped/captured and given to some 1%er rich person to hoard? yeah that’s NOT ok. how about releasing them into the wild and not keep them in private captivity. Such total bs and nonsense….
90% of what one sees in Ca is an “invasive”species..including yourselves.
Australia is also surrounded by saltwater..
Are there Black swans at the zoo?..then I may surmise that they infact DO belong in Ca.
Edney..
I see how you tried to “spin” that one, but no..
The arrival of indigenous peoples to this continent
( which you may want to review the latest findings), was not invasive, or an invasion.
Quite the opposite in fact & historically.
Indigenous Peoples have been shown to improve the areas we inhabit, & leave them for the better.