Hamburg swans will soon be heading to their winter quarters
Off to the tent: for Hamburg's Alster swans, the season on the waters of the Hanseatic city will be over again in just a few days. On Tuesday, the so-called swan father Olaf Nieß and his team will take the animals from the Alster and its tributaries and canals to their winter quarters at Eppendorfer Mühlenteich. Construction work has been in full swing there since this week so that the facility is ready when the animals are brought to their winter quarters, as Nieß from the Hamburg Swan Department told the German Press Agency in Hamburg. The first swans are to be collected on Tuesday.
A protective tent will once again be set up for the animals at the Eppendorf mill pond - to protect them against the bird flu pathogens. "It is important for us to be able to protect the population of Alster swans. That's why we are now here in front of the site and are already setting up the tents for our animals," said Nieß.
The summer season went quite well for the Hamburg Alster swans after a winter with many losses, Nieß continued. However, it was initially unclear how many breeding pairs had raised chicks. Around 120 swans have always been part of the population of the traditional Alster swans. However, bird flu and a bacterial disease had reduced the group to around 65 animals. A further 15 or so animals have also flown in.
Nieß hopes that the planned construction of a new hall for the swans at the Mühlenteich can begin in the second quarter, making the time-consuming tent construction unnecessary. The multifunctional hall will be able to accommodate both the swans and the team's vehicles.
The Hamburg swan department is a municipal service. It has a centuries-old tradition, as swans are considered a symbol of freedom and independence for the Hanseatic city - and one of Hamburg's landmarks. The office of swan warden has existed since 1674, which means that Olaf Nieß occupies what is probably the oldest position in the city of Hamburg.
The team will transport the Hamburg Alster swans, including the swan father Olaf Nieß, to their winter quarters at Eppendorfer Mühlenteich, which is being prepared with tents to protect them from bird flu pathogens. This annual custom ensures the survival of the traditional Alster swan population, a symbol of Hamburg's freedom and independence.
The construction of a new multifunctional hall at Eppendorf mill pond is planned for the second quarter, aiming to replace the tent construction process and provide a more permanent and protective living space for the swans and the swan department's vehicles, maintaining local customs and animal welfare.
Source: www.dpa.com
