Mute Swans in Maryland: A Statewide Management Plan
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife and Heritage Service
April 14, 2003

MANAGEMENT GOAL AND POPULATION OBJECTIVE

Management Goal

Manage the mute swan population in Maryland at a level that (1) minimizes the impacts on native wildlife and their habitat; (2) is consistent with the objectives of the Chesapeake 2000 Agreement; and (3) minimizes conflicts with humans.

Long-term Population Objective

Managing mute swans at a level that minimizes impacts on native wildlife and habitats will require reducing the size of the mute swan population. The population level at which key natural resources will be adequately protected is unknown. However, when the state’s mute swan population was less than 500 birds, adverse ecological impacts and conflicts between people and mute swans were negligible.