The singer Stone and the Stéphane Lamart association want to protect the swans of Lake Annecy
Through Samilei Hoarau
Published on
If you have ever noticed the surroundings of the Annecy lake, in Haute-Savoie, you have undoubtedly noticed the many swans who live there, and who come to feed on the lawn, very close to Annecy residents or tourists.
However : swans are in danger, often victims … of the goodwill of humans. Several of these majestic birds dies near the lake, every year. In front of this situation, association Stephane Lamart, which defends animal rights, and its spokesperson singer Pierre, have decided to mobilize.
Stone: “We just don’t want the Annecy swans to disappear”
November 5, 2021, after being contacted by the Annecy association Make me swan, they approached an open letter to the mayor of the city, François Astorg. Their request: protect the swans of Lake Annecy. “Everyone knows Annecy for these superb white birds. We just don’t want them to disappear, ”explains the singer to News Haute-Savoie.
Two main dangers affect these mute swans, assess the associations, even though they are a protected species. On the one hand, they are victims ofdog attacks not kept on a leash. On the other hand, people feed regularly with bread or other human food, while the stomachs of these herbivores is not adapted.
Conditions which are at the origin of the death of several swans each year. According to the Bird Protection League (LPO), if there was one near the lake a few decades ago, in 2019 there were only about forty.
Several dog attacks have killed swans in recent years
” It is necessary the knowledge people, especially tourists. I know very well that people do not think badly by giving bread or a little of their food to the swans which approach them ”, assures the singer.
“It is also a cultural habit, to give bread to birds. The romantic image of the good deed of feeding wild animals persists. And yet … The bread swells, in the stomach of the swan, and at force, it can be fatal or cause him health problems “
Regarding the problem of dogs, again, everything starts from a good feeling. Some people want to be able to let their pets roam freely in a large space. For others, swans are a real attraction. “They release the dogs on the swans, thinking that it will amuse them both. However, even when the dog does not physically bless the swan, it provokes in the latter very high stress. He can hurt himself, and again, lose his life. We just have to be aware of the danger that this represents for these birds. “
In recent years, especially in november 2019 and fr december 2020, dog attacks claimed the lives of swans in the lake. If the singer and the president of the association do not want to point the finger at the canines, which they also defend within the association, they are convinced that existing solutions to avoid these tragedies.
Three proposals addressed to the town hall
So they propose solutions to the town hall which according to them are simple and little reported:
– The installation of signs all along the lake, clearly visible to tourists and administered, reminding that these swans are a protected species, dogs must be kept on a leash.
– The installation of educational panels to remind people of do not feed the swans with bread or the like, and not to approach or disturb them.
– The mention of a phone number available to everyone in the event of the discovery of injured, sick or deceased animals.
And they ask that this information is also disseminated to the Tourist Office and the company managing the boats of the lake, for tourists. And on the municipal bulletin, for the inhabitants of Annecy.
Proposals already submitted by the association Make me swan, for several years. It has in particular published a request to this effect a few months ago, which it is still possible to sign. But Stone hopes that his status as an artist will be able to give greater echo to these ideas, until convincing the town hall.
“I hope I can help get things done, at my humble level. I don’t think the animal cause is inaudible without the presence of an artist, but at least it helps to get some more media attention. , and that’s exactly what we need: our message to be heard as much as possible. ”
So for Stone, these proposals are bound to be put in place. “On a good hope, ensures the singer. Swans are a city emblem, I do not see why they refuse. “Stéphane Lamart also believes hard as iron in these proposals:” it costs little money, if they do not do it, it would be really bad will “.
For the moment, almost a week after having sent their open letter to the town hall of Annecy, Stone and Stéphane Lamart have not yet received an answer. They say they are ready to come to Annecy, if François Astorg wishes to meet them.
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