One of the iconic campus swans is absent from Lake LaVerne, recovering from a run-in with discarded fishing line.
On Tuesday, campus services staff spotted the troubled swan, which had a fishing hook lodged in her body and the attached fishing line tangled around her wing. The swan was treated at the College of Veterinary Medicine's small animal hospital and returned to the water Wednesday evening.
Chris Strawhacker, landscape architect in facilities planning and management, said the incident should serve as a reminder that good stewardship is important for all lake users.
"Trash and debris from public use of the area really impacts the swans, fish and other wildlife that call Lake LaVerne home," Strawhacker said.
Fishing is allowed on Lake LaVerne (in accordance with all state and local laws), but a catch-and-release policy is encouraged to help maintain the water quality.
