New Arrivals: Dean and Dolly, Trumpeter Swans

Lincoln Park Zoo’s long history started with swans—in 1968, Chicago’s free zoo was created when two pairs of mute swans arrived here as a gift from New York City’s Central Park. And now, swans are back at Hope B. McCormick Swan Pond.

The pair of 3-year-old trumpeter swans have been named Dean and Dolly by the Women’s Board of Lincoln Park Zoo, who decided to honor the late Dolly Parton and her husband, Carl Dean. Parton is well known for her commitment to give back to children of all backgrounds, and the Women’s Board consists of members whose contributions are instrumental to keeping the zoo free while funding its animal care, conservation, and learning initiatives. Over its 50-year history, the Women’s Board has contributed more than $42 million to a wide range of capital projects, animal habitats, and science and education programs.

Trumpeter swans are the largest swan species in the world, measuring up to 5 feet long with a wingspan of 6.6 feet or more and a weight of 29 pounds. They’re named for their deep, bugle-like call. They have snowy white feathers and a jet-black bill, feet, and legs. If you visit the pond, you might see them preening their feathers. With the help of an oil-secreting gland at their tail base, this grooming activity helps them waterproof their feathers.

These birds mate for life and live in pairs or family groups year-round. They prefer lakes, rivers, and ponds in forested areas of North America, including the northern U.S. and Canada. Southern populations tend not to migrate, but northern ones migrate short distances. They will lay up four to six eggs at a time, which hatch after five or six weeks. Their young can swim when less than a day old, but will not be able to fly until they are three or four months or age. Both adults care for their offspring.

In the 20th century, trumpeter swans were hunted to near-extinction for their meat, skin and feathers; in 1935, just 69 individuals remained in the wild. However, conservation efforts have helped the species rebound and now they are at little risk of extinction. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists them as a species of Least Concern, with more than 50,000 animals. Lincoln Park Zoo has assisted in the effort to help trumpeter swans, releasing more than 40 into the wild as part of a reintroduction program to boost local populations.

Stop by Swan Pond, which is between Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House and Park Place Cafe, north of Waterfowl Lagoon where the flamingos are, to catch a glimpse of these iconic birds!