ROSEVILLE, Minn. (AP) — This year’s deep snow and extreme cold are taking a toll on Minnesota wildlife — especially swans and other waterfowl that can’t find open water on the state’s many frozen lakes.
ROSEVILLE, Minn. (AP) — This year’s deep snow and extreme cold are taking a toll on Minnesota wildlife — especially swans and other waterfowl that can’t find open water on the state’s many frozen lakes.
The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota is treating birds that have come in with injuries. Veteran Agnes Hutchinson said the swans and other birds are having difficulty finding open water.
Center director Phil Jenni said birds are also starving because they can’t find a food source on land. And, when there is no open water, birds are also more vulnerable to attack from raptors and other predators.
All over the Midwest, waterfowl have been stranded by the coldest weather in more than 30 years.