15A NCAC 10B .0125      RELEASE OF Mute Swans

(a)  Individuals shall not release mute swans (Cygnus olor) into the public waters of North Carolina.

(b)  Any individual who releases mute swan into privately controlled waters, possesses, or confines mute swans or any progeny of mute swans on their property, shall ensure that the animal has been pinioned.

(c)  For the purposes of this Rule, "privately controlled waters" means:

(1)           a body of water lying wholly upon a single tract of privately owned land or a body of water lying entirely within private property, even if that property is comprised of multiple tracts owned by one or multiple individuals; and

(2)           waters to which the public does not have access without permission of one or more of the private landowners surrounding the water(s).

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113-292(d);

Eff. July 1, 2008;

Readopted Eff. February 1, 2022.