Orlando’s famous captive Lake Eola swans will be rehomed after significant illness-related losses earlier this year prompted a review of the city’s swan program, according to a statement released Friday.Calling it a pause of said program, it was announced the city’s captive swans would be rehomed beginning with this year’s cygnets, their parents, and the eggs currently being nested.The move follows consultation with state and federal partners such as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the city said. Though the statement pledged the city’s commitment to “meeting the highest standards in providing for the swans’ (well-being),” it acknowledged that such standards were increasingly difficult to meet within an active urban park preparing for construction associated with the Lake Eola Master Plan. “Relocating them now will reduce stress and risk during this extended period of construction activity in the park and will help ensure their ongoing care in environments that can fully meet required standards,” the statement reads. “Even after the City’s captive swans are rehomed, visitors may still see wild swans and other waterfowl in and around Lake Eola Park, as these birds are free ranging and not part of the City’s captive flock.”Friday’s announcement comes about three months after the city announced the swan review following a winter avian flu outbreak that killed at least 29 birds.>>Video below: City reviewing swan safety after avian flu outbreak at Lake EolaThe city’s first swans were purchased around 1893 by Charles Lord, who came to Orlando from England, according to the Orange County Regional History Center. Lord brought the four white birds from Connecticut and took them to Lake Lucerne, saying he was interested in the swans as a way to amplify the beauty of Orlando’s lakes. This is a developing story and will be updated.

ORLANDO, Fla. —

Orlando’s famous captive Lake Eola swans will be rehomed after significant illness-related losses earlier this year prompted a review of the city’s swan program, according to a statement released Friday.

Calling it a pause of said program, it was announced the city’s captive swans would be rehomed beginning with this year’s cygnets, their parents, and the eggs currently being nested.

The move follows consultation with state and federal partners such as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the city said.

Though the statement pledged the city’s commitment to “meeting the highest standards in providing for the swans’ (well-being),” it acknowledged that such standards were increasingly difficult to meet within an active urban park preparing for construction associated with the Lake Eola Master Plan.

“Relocating them now will reduce stress and risk during this extended period of construction activity in the park and will help ensure their ongoing care in environments that can fully meet required standards,” the statement reads. “Even after the City’s captive swans are rehomed, visitors may still see wild swans and other waterfowl in and around Lake Eola Park, as these birds are free ranging and not part of the City’s captive flock.”

Friday’s announcement comes about three months after the city announced the swan review following a winter avian flu outbreak that killed at least 29 birds.

>>Video below: City reviewing swan safety after avian flu outbreak at Lake Eola

The city’s first swans were purchased around 1893 by Charles Lord, who came to Orlando from England, according to the Orange County Regional History Center. Lord brought the four white birds from Connecticut and took them to Lake Lucerne, saying he was interested in the swans as a way to amplify the beauty of Orlando’s lakes.

This is a developing story and will be updated.