… Mute swans are kind of like “aquatic feral pigs,” CDFW spokesperson Melanie Weaver told SFGATE over the phone Wednesday. Despite their striking physical appearance, the birds pose a serious threat to Northern California’s marine ecosystem, and homeowners now have the authority to shoot them if they’re on their property, regardless of whether they have a license, Weaver said. That’s because mute swans unapologetically consume up to 8 pounds of aquatic vegetation per day, destroying crucial food and habitat for native species. 

Related articles: 

• Los Angeles Times: ‘Destructive’ swans in the crosshairs as California allows hunting
• Orange County Register (Irvine, Calif.): Californians can now shoot swans year-round without a license
• The Mendocino Voice (Calif.): Mute swans now on state Fish and Wildlife take list