The Wrangell Sentinel

Trumpeter swans, largest North American wild fowl, once considered on the road to extinction, may yet be perpetuated, says the Bureau of Biological Survey, U. S. Department of Agriculture.
This summer's census revealed at least 155 birds in the United States. Ninety of the birds were counted on or near the Red Rocks Migratory Waterfowl Refuge, administered by the Biological Survey in southeastern Montana. The other 65 were seen by naturalists of the Department of the Interior during a simultaneous census in and about Yellowstone National Park.
Great hope is seen in the fact that the count this year included 77 cygnets, or young swans, as compared with only 41 last year.
Apparently, says the Biological Survey, most of the birds that are not breeding remain on lakes in Yellowstone Park in summer, while the majority of the breeding birds use the Red Rocks Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. These two nearby areas on which the birds are protected and between which they may migrate give hope that the threatened extermination of the trumpeter swan may yet be averted. They are found nesting in no other region in this country.
Refuge Primarily For Swans
Although more than 200 species of birds use the Red Rocks Refuge, including many nesting ducks, the Biological Survey considers the area of particular importance because of its value to these swans. Developments for the benefit of these birds have been made since the establishment of the refuge by Executive order on April 23, 1935, although the area was chosen partly because of its natural fitness.
A small dam holds water at a fairly constant level. Twenty-four artificial nesting islands have been constructed and anchored in place, and the Survey is also improving vegetation by eliminating grazing and is carrying on erosion control activities.
Refuge officials guard the swans' nesting areas with special care.
"From the time the ice leaves the lakes until the first of August when the young birds are fairly grown," says A. V. Hull, refuge manager, "I do not permit anyone to venture on the lakes where the swans nest. I do not go on the nesting grounds at all myself for fear that the sun rays may injure the embryo within the eggs, also for fear that an overcast sky or storm may chill the eggs before the adult swan returns to the nest."
Mr. Hull attributes this year's increase of young birds "to the fact that we have been able to administer the area to the best interest of the swan. There has been no disturbance whatsoever on the nesting grounds, while in past years livestock and persons have disturbed the birds a great deal."