Trumpeter Swan Re-Introduction Program

Program Background

Originally native to Ontario, the Trumpeter swan's extirpation from eastern Canada over 200 years ago was primarily due to hunting pressure and habitat loss. Biologist Harry Lumsden began a provincial reintroduction program in the early 1980's to re-establish the Trumpeter swan in its former habitat and range.

With prime wetland habitat, and archaeological evidence confirming the historical presence of Trumpeters in the Wye Valley, Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre became a co-operator in the restoration of this magnificent species in 1989. The original captive breeding pair of Trumpeters at Wye Marsh were "Big Guy" and "Lady Girl". Big Guy and Lady successfully raised the first cygnet in 1990, and she became known as "Pig Pen". In 1993, Pig Pen and her mate became the first wild nesting pair of Trumpeters in Wye Marsh in over 200 years.

Now, almost two decades later, the Centre is caring for and monitoring over 160 Trumpeter swans in Wye Marsh and the surrounding area, accounting for approximately one-third of the Ontario Trumpeter Swan population. The number of wild nesting Trumpeter pairs is on the increase as well, and the swans have established nesting territories in some of the surrounding wetlands. Nesting locations of Trumpeters are generally not publicized, to allow the swans to raise their young without human interference.

In 2004, 29 territories were surveyed in our study area. In those territories 13 pairs of swans had successful nests, 6 had unsuccessful nests, and 10 pairs occupied territories but did not display nesting activity. A total of 43 cygnets survived to fledge in the fall. In the Wye Valley, four nests were confirmed. Three of those nests were successful and produced a total of 12 cygnets that survived to fledge.

For the 2006 Swan reintroduction program update Click here >>>>