In the 1960s, trumpeter swans were close to extinction. Today, there are over 25,000 in the United States, thanks to conservation efforts across the country, including support from more than 25 zoos. Southwick’s Zoo and EARTH Ltd. are proud to be part of rebuilding and restoring the trumpeter swan population in its native environment.
Trumpeter swans, the largest waterfowl species native to the United States, historically nested throughout the wetlands of Iowa. A result of unregulated hunting and wetland drainage, the species experienced a dramatic decline in numbers. A nationwide survey in the early 1930s found fewer than 70 trumpeter swans in the U.S., all located at what would become the Red Rocks Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Southwest Montana. Until 1998, the last wild nesting trumpeter swan was documented in 1883.
In 1993, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) developed a plan to restore the trumpeter swan population in their native land in Iowa, with a goal of having 15 free-flying nesting pairs by 2003. This goal was met in 2004.
From 1995 to 2021, the Iowa DNR released more than 1,200 trumpeter swans at more than 80 locations through the Trumpeter Swan Restoration Project. These swans were acquired from zoos, private propagators, and other state swan projects.
In 2018, EARTH ltd and Southwick’s Zoo were contacted by Tiffany Mayo, Species Survival Plan Coordinator for Trumpeter Swans and lead hospital zookeeper at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Mayo was seeking swan cygnets to be released in Iowa to help restore the native population. At the time, the zoo had three swan cygnets. EARTH ltd and Southwick’s were immediately interested in participating in this incredible project and quickly worked to obtain the necessary permits to move the animals.
“I was thrilled to be a part of a program that is initiating a swan release back out into the wild in Iowa,” said Betsey Brewer-Bethel, Executive Director at Southwick’s Zoo and EARTH Ltd.
In May of 2019, Betsey Brewer-Bethel traveled with Southwick’s Zoo’s educators and zookeepers to southern Iowa. They brought the three cygnets to be released at Lake Icaria, a 60-acre wetland and phenomenal waterfowl habitat.
When asked about this project, Duane Long, head zookeeper and animal care staff member at Southwick’s Zoo, said, “To me, this project is really important because as a child growing up, I heard about the passenger pigeon going extinct, the Carolina parakeet going extinct, all these animals, and nothing was done about it.”
He continued, “This, to me, is a way of protecting a species so it doesn’t go extinct for other people, especially the future generations.”
While in Iowa, the Southwick’s team visited Corning Elementary and led fun, educational activities with help from the Kansas City Zoo. Speaking with the students about the Trumpeter Swan Restoration Project and its importance to the community.
As of 2025, over 140 pairs of trumpeter swans nest in Iowa, and over 5,000 trumpeter swans inhabit the state in the winter, according to the Iowa DNR. Having successfully brought this species back from the brink of extinction, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources focus is shifting to maintaining and creating suitable wetland habitats that will support the growing population of these birds.
“Projects like this are so important because, as human beings, we need to learn how to live harmoniously with nature,” said Betsey Brewer Bethel. “We need to be held accountable for the massive changes that are happening to our planet.”
