AUSTRALIAN BLACK SWAN RUNS 'AMUCK' AT ZOO, TWO FLAMINGOS SERIOUSLY INJURED, ONE OTHER ESCAPES UNHURT
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On August 17, 1925, The Evening Star reports that an Australian black swan* "ran amuck" yesterday afternoon at a waterfowl pond near the entrance to the National Zoo.
Two "scarlet flamingos" were so seriously injured by the swan that it was necessary to kill them.
A third flamingo, who narrowly escaped harm, has been placed in a pool to himself.
The Star reports that this incident is "unprecedented" as far as birds are concerned at the Zoo. The zookeeper and other zoo personnel are quite upset by these turn of events.
*black swan is a large waterbird bred mainly in southeast & southwest Australia. It is a nomadic large bird with black plumage & a red bill. According to Melissa Murray of the Australian Museum, the bird is the only entirely black-colored swan in the world.
JFK+50 NOTE
There is nothing in the Star front page article saying what would be done, if anything, with the black swan. Perhaps President Coolidge would have considered a pardon?
SOURCES
"Black Swan," by Melissa Murray, July 18, 2024, Australian Museum, www.australian.museum/
"Zoo Swan, In Murderous Craze, Fatally Wounds Two Flamingos," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., August 17, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
