Once again, a swan from the Manlius swan pond has been brutally killed. This time it was Faye, the beloved mother swan. Faye and Manny, a bonded pair, came to Manlius in 2010. Over Memorial Day weekend Faye and her four babies (cygnets) were stolen. The cygnets were recovered, but Faye was discovered to have been killed and subsequently eaten by 3 Syracuse residents. This is not the first time these swans have become victim to criminal activity. Manlius’ Swans have been subject to multiple crimes and harassment over the last 100+ years that the village has held this tradition.

While the swans and this tradition are near and dear to many of us, it doesn’t come without a price. Their species of swan is considered an invasive species in NY, so the Village of Manlius is required by law to clip their wings to keep them captive within the pond- where they aren’t properly protected and can’t defend themselves or fly away. Faye and Manny have been kept captive here since 2010, only for the benefit of being scenery and ornaments for local residents. Life in the Swan Pond does NOT benefit the swans, it overall harms them and prevents them from thriving; and clearly the Village of Manlius can’t prevent the horrific things they’ve been through from happening.

Manny, the male swan, is now left without his bonded mate and is completely alone. Swans mate for life, and he has lost his lifelong partner. Faye’s babies are left without their mother. We can’t let this cycle happen again to another pair of swans just for them to live a life of isolation, harassment, and torture. All for our own enjoyment? Manlius residents have seen firsthand how agitated the swans get when humans come a little too close, it’s not something they enjoy. They don’t want to be a spectacle for us. They’re likely living highly stressful lives, and then incidents like this occur.

Cameras don’t prevent the crimes from actually happening in the first place.

Please demand that the Village of Manlius relocates the remaining swan, Manny, to a rescue or rehabilitation center that can allow him to live out his remaining years without harm and with proper care. Please also demand that no more swans be sent to the Manlius Swan Pond where they face a life without freedom; and a life with clipped wings, constant harassment, stress, and physical harm.

There are other ways to commemorate Manlius’ swan tradition that doesn’t involve the abuse and exploitation of live animals.