Swan found dead near OSU pond in Stillwater

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) -- A swan that lived on a pond on the campus of Oklahoma State University has been found dead with a broken neck.<br/><br/>Mike Burnett, manager of OSUs grounds department, said

Friday, April 7th 2006, 5:01 pm

By: News On 6

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) -- A swan that lived on a pond on the campus of Oklahoma State University has been found dead with a broken neck.

Mike Burnett, manager of OSUs grounds department, said the swan's body was found Thursday morning near Theta Pond, where she lived with a variety of ducks. Her neck was broken but the body was not maimed.

"We have no idea if somebody did it," he said. "It could be an animal got her by the neck and then somebody came along and scared the animal off."

Berris mate was killed in 1996 by an OSU student who said he was playing a practical joke and had not meant to kill the bird. He was given community service and a fine.

Burnett said the university should seriously consider whether swans are appropriate birds for campus.

"They are very beautiful birds but I dont think she was in a proper location," Burnett said. "Weve had two, and theâ€™ve both been killed in some manner."