08/26/2006

News in Brief

Trumpeter swans released at dunes

EMPIRE — Officials at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore released eight young trumpeter swans in the park this summer with hopes they will return next year.

The birds were released together into one of the wetland areas within the lakeshore, and National Park Service officials hope they will finish maturing and "imprint" locally before migrating south for the winter. If the release is successful, it's possible the birds could return with mates to begin rearing families in the lakeshore, officials said.

The effort is a partnership with the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians.