LAKELAND, Fla. A flock of swans, descendants of a gift from Queen Elizabeth II nearly 70 years ago, have been gently rounded up in Florida to ensure their continued health.
On a sunny Tuesday morning, a total of 50 swans were carefully collected in Lakeland, a charming city located east of Tampa. Park supervisor Steve Williams, who takes great pride in these majestic birds, emphasized their significance in the community, stating, “I mean, they are a city icon. They are. And we take very good care of them.”
The annual fall roundup is a vital event that enables veterinarians to conduct comprehensive health examinations of the city-owned swans. This year’s checkups are scheduled for Wednesday morning. Lakeland’s cherished swans are descendants of a pair of mute swans gifted by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1957, which adds to their historical importance.
Veterinarian Price Dickson explained the importance of the examination process, saying, “Tomorrow we will be taking all of these swans one by one and giving each of them a physical exam, weighing them, checking for any infections, any wounds, any problems that would need to be addressed.”
These examinations have become a tradition in Lakeland, with the city having conducted the annual wellness checkups since 1980. The goal is to maintain the swans’ well-being and ensure that they continue to be a cherished part of the community.
Carlo Juancho FuntanillaFrontend Developer, WordPress, Shopify
Contributing Editor
AMA ACLC San Pablo
