LAKELAND, Fla. — The City of Lakeland conducted its 39th annual Swan Roundup on Lake Morton in downtown on Tuesday. Parks and Recreation employees spent the day at Lake Morton gathering up the birds to check the health of the local swan population.
- Lakeland swans to get wellness exam
- City employees gathering swans
- Original swans donated by Queen Elizabeth
The wellness examinations, done by My Pet's Animal Hospital, allows the City's Parks and Recreation Department to closely monitor the health and vitality of the 75 birds.
The original swans on Lake Morton were donated by Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom in 1957.
As Lakeland’s swan flock grew, it became paramount to give the regal birds an annual health check so the Swan Roundup began in 1980 and has continued every year since then.
“My Pet’s Animal Hospital is honored to provide medical care for the swans of Lakeland. The swans are iconic to Lakeland and we are looking forward to taking care of these majestic birds," the vet said.
The swans will be housed in large holding pens on the south side of the lake as they get their wellness exams.
WATCH the video above to see how city officials catch the quick moving swans: