The state Department of Natural Resources says it will indefinitely shelve a program to eradicate a nonnative swan species from southern Wisconsin.

The DNR has been killing off mute swans since 1997. The program is designed to eliminate the species that competes with native trumpeter swans.

Agency spokeswoman Gloria McCutcheon says her agency has no immediate plans to remove mute swans in Kenosha, Racine, Walworth and Waukesha counties.

The announcement provides a small measure of consolation to Kenosha County residents who were angered two weeks ago when the DNR had 14 mute swans shot.
Rock Lake resident Kim Roper says she understands the idea of population control, but not the intentional elimination of a species.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)