{"id":206005,"date":"2026-03-25T21:21:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T21:21:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/206005\/"},"modified":"2026-03-25T21:21:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T21:21:08","slug":"city-implements-no-feeding-policy-for-swans-at-lake-eola","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/206005\/","title":{"rendered":"City implements ‘no-feeding’ policy for swans at Lake Eola"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Credit: Shutterstock<\/p>\n

The city of Orlando is no longer allowing the public to feed swans at Lake Eola, with city staff citing the importance of safeguarding animal health and \u201csupporting the natural diet of the species in our care.\u201d<\/p>\n

The city has implemented a \u201cno feeding\u201d policy as of March 18, and has posted signs throughout the downtown Orlando park to inform visitors of the rules. According to city spokesperson Ashley Papagni, the swans will continue to be fed through floating feeders. But the coin-operated public feeders placed throughout the park more than a decade ago will be retired \u201cto reduce the number of birds that congregate and could potentially spread the flu.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe city\u2019s Families, Parks and Recreation Department is in the process of developing updated procedures and protocols for the continued care of the swans,\u201d Papagni told Orlando Weekly over email. \u201cTo ensure this plan is as robust as possible, the FPR team is reviewing all city protocols and evaluating best practices from other cities and wildlife organizations.\u201d<\/p>\n

The city is currently in damage-control mode following the death of more than two dozen Lake Eola swans due to an avian flu outbreak in January. According to the city, it\u2019s been roughly two months since the last swan death, so they expect the outbreak is finally over. <\/p>\n

Still, local advocates urged the city<\/a> to review and reevaluate its current policies for caring for the swans, each of which cost the city hundreds to thousands of dollars<\/a> to stock at the popular park.<\/p>\n

Feeding wildlife, including swans and geese, is generally discouraged<\/a> by animal welfare experts. The swan feeders were first installed<\/a> at Lake Eola in 2012 to help discourage the public (including charmed, well-meaning tourists) from feeding swans other food that could make them sick.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to encourage people to feed them the right stuff, so that\u2019s what we are doing today with the feeders,\u201d District 4 city commissioner Patty Sheehan, \u00a0a fierce defender<\/a> of the city\u2019s swans, said at the time. \u201cAnd if you don\u2019t want to use the feeders, bring a head of lettuce.\u201d<\/p>\n

The new signs posted at Lake Eola, printed in both English and Spanish, urge the public not to feed wildlife at the park, including swans, at all. To \u201cprotect wildlife and keep birds healthy,\u201d the signs ask the public instead to \u201cavoid close contact with birds\u201d and \u201cenjoy wildlife from a distance.\u201d <\/p>\n

A man was once arrested for accidentally kicking swans at the park<\/a> while practicing karate, so maybe be mindful of just how much distance you\u2019re providing, too. Same guidance goes for bike cops, who learned the hard way<\/a> a decade ago that swans aren\u2019t their biggest fans.<\/p>\n

According to Papagni, the city\u2019s parks department \u201cis in the process\u201d of drafting a proposal for the continued care of the city\u2019s swans that will be presented to city leadership \u201cin the coming weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Subscribe to Orlando Weekly newsletters.<\/a><\/p>\n

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