Hamburg swans are collected for their winter quarters
As every year in the fall, the Alster swans have to say goodbye to swimming freely on Hamburg's waters and canals. The animals will go into their winter quarters from Tuesday. The first swans will be collected at the Rathausschleuse lock in the late morning (11.00 a.m.) and taken by boat to the Eppendorf mill pond. A tent will be set up there again to protect them from bird flu. The remaining animals, which were on the widely ramified tributaries in the summer, are to be collected in the following days. A total of around 80 Alster swans will probably spend the winter at the Mühlenteich.
The Alster swans are considered one of Hamburg's landmarks. They have been cherished and cared for in the Hanseatic city for centuries. In 1674, the Hamburg Swan Department was set up specifically for this purpose with the office of swan father.
The Swan Department in Hamburg has unique customs, as they appoint an individual known as the swan father annually to oversee the swans' welfare. Various customs surround the collection of swans for their winter quarters, including setting up tents to protect them from diseases like bird flu.
Source: www.dpa.com
