Swan Haven boaters did nothing illegal, say Yukon officials

A boat ownerwho caused a stirlast weekend by cruising near the massive flocks of migrating birds at theSwan Haven Interpretive Centredid nothing illegal, say Yukon wildlife officials.

The boat was firstspotted on Saturday in M'Clintock Bay, where thousands of migrating birds gather each April to rest and feed before continuing their spring migration.

A nearby resident said theflock of nearly 2,000 trumpeter swans took flight when the boat approached, anddid the same thing Sunday when the boat returned.

• Power boat cruises through Yukon's 'Swan Haven'

"It was definitely a disturbance," said conservation officer David Bakica.

He said officers heard about the incident on Saturday and immediately responded, talking to residents and witnesses.

"But from [the boaters']behaviour, and how they drove the boat, it was pretty clear that there was no intent to specifically go at wildlife."

Under Yukon's Wildlife Act, it's considered an offence to operate a boat in a manner that "might reasonably be expected to harass wildlife."

Bakica said the incident does not qualify as harassment.

"It was simply a disturbance by the fact that they went by, and that's not illegal in the Yukon," Bakicasaid.

"We do ask people not to go there, and not to drive their boats there. We also ask people not to canoe or kayak there, either."

Early arrivals unprecedented

The Swan Haven Interpretive Centrehas seen an unprecedentednumber of early swans this year. The numbers have grown steadily over the last few days, with more than 2,000 trumpeter swans counted on Monday.

"2,000is pretty rare to have at Swan Haven, period, but to have it in the first fivedays of April?2016, that's the first time we've seen that," said wildlife viewing technician Scott Cameron.

Cameron said thethe first tundra swans also arrived on Monday. They typically show up later in April, and in greater numbers than trumpeters.