Western Australian Seabird Rescue (WASR) have made a desperate appeal for help to save about 100 black swan cygnets from a lake that is rapidly drying up south of Mandurah.
The lake, which WASR have not named, has only 14cms of water remaining and with warm temperatures forecast over the coming week, the water is expected to drop by about 1cm per day.
"Most adult swans have already left due to declining water levels, reduced food availability, and increasing predation risk from foxes, with only parents still caring for young birds remaining," Western Australian Seabird Rescue said in a social media post.
WASR said there is a risk the remaining cygnets will be abandoned before they are capable of surviving on their own and they need to be rescued as soon as possible.
Because the lake is managed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) they are concerned it could take some time for planning and approvals to take place.
"The lake is managed by DBCA, and we are currently working closely with the department and our fellow wildlife organisations to explore options for an emergency rescue," WASR said.
The lake is slowly drying up. PIC: Western Australian Seabird Rescue/Facebook
"DBCA has supported and facilitated a number of successful cygnet rescues in the past, and we greatly value our strong working relationship with the department.
"The challenge is that this situation has developed very quickly. We only recently became aware of the scale and urgency of the issue, which means there has been far less lead time than would normally be available to work through the approvals and planning processes.
"At the same time, DBCA is managing many competing priorities across wildlife management and bushfire preparedness as we move into the summer season."
WASR are calling on the community to get behind them and spread the word by contacting Environment Minister Matt Swinbourn expressing their concerns.
"The wildlife rehabilitation sector is ready to help. Working together, we have the capacity to rescue, relocate, or provide care for all affected cygnets if approval is granted and the operation can proceed in time."
"Protecting this population is particularly important given the significant threat that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) poses to black swans once it arrives in Western Australia."
Minister Swinbourn's office has been contacted for comment.
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