Wildlife rescuers and carers are despairing about the number of animals being killed at Lake Wendouree each year and want changes to be made to protect them.
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Dozens of black swans can be spotted when visiting Ballarat's iconic lake - from tiny babies (cygnets) to mature adults.
While they spark delight in residents and visitors alike, this year alone exhausted carers and rescuers have recorded almost 50 black swan (cygnus atratus) deaths at the lake, in addition to dozens of deaths of other animals.
While most deaths are the result of careless drivers, some were maliciously attacked by humans and others caught in a fishing hook or entangled in fishing wire. But recently, there has been a worrying and increasing trend - swans being savagely attacked, believed to be by dogs.
During the last couple of months, six swans and cygnets have been injured near the adventure playground. All had injuries that could have been caused by a dog, rescuers say.
On October 6, onlookers were shocked when a fully grown swan was attacked by a dog on a leash. It was being held by its owner at the time, with the swan later dying at the vet.
Two cygnets were also critically injured in the area on November 14 - one died at the scene and another later in care.
Within the last week, there have been a further three deaths. One cygnet died after a suspected attack on December 4 and just days later, on December 7, two cygnets were located near Pipers By The Lake, with rescuer and carer Jen Greenhalgh called.
By the time she arrived, the siblings were close to death. One passed away while the other was euthanised due to the extent of its injuries.
Volunteer rescuer, Jessica Robertson, said it was a "distressing and overwhelming" situation, especially as wildlife deaths at the lake were only a snapshot of what was occurring right across Ballarat.
Many other animals are killed in similar ways right across the city each day. Ms Greenalgh said she had treated other animals as a result of suspected dog attacks in recent weeks - from birds to echidnas, blue tongue lizards and kangaroos.
Eureka Veterinary Clinic treats a lot of wildlife found injured around Ballarat. Vet Pam Cowie treated the two cygnets that were brought to the vet on Monday and said that they both had very serious injuries.
She said it was often difficult to determine how animals were injured unless there was an obvious mark - such as tyre marks to indicate it had been run over.
As there were often not witnesses, it makes it even more difficult to determine the cause of an injury. The cygnets injured on Monday appeared to be the result of an animal attack - potentially a fox or dog.
While she said adult swans could be treated for less serious injuries, cygnets were more difficult as they would easily bond with a carer-meaning they could not be released back into the wild if they did.
"In some cases if their injuries are really severe then it's more stressful to put them through the recovery period than to try to fix the injury because it's really stressful to be kept in captivity," she said.
There are steps that can be taken to protect Ballarat's precious wildlife.
Dr Cowie encouraged people to keep dogs on leads and not to let them venture near swans or their nests around the lake.
"There are so many swans around the lake so it is important to keep dogs on a leash because they can become pretty reactive," she said.
There are so many swans around the lake so it is important to keep dogs on a leash
- Vet Pam Cowie
Ms Greenhalgh wants to see more responsible pet ownership too, and for the requirement to keep dogs on leashes to be more strictly enforced by authorities.
She also reminded people not to feed wildlife as it could cause health problems and behavioural changes that could make them more vulnerable to being hit by a car.
Ms Greenhalgh is among others who have voiced a desire to see the speed limit reduced to 40km/h right around the lake and for speed cameras to be installed to catch those who don't slow down.
To illustrate all of these messages, Mr Greenhalgh believes more signage around the lake would also be effective to remind people not to feed wildlife and to be aware that wildlife may cross the road. Dr Cowie agreed.
Banning fishing in areas of the lake where swans and other birds congregate was another idea.
While it is the community's responsibility to care for wildlife, Ms Greenhalgh said stakeholders also needed to have the will to protect Australia's fauna and flora.
Lake Wendouree Reserve is managed by the City of Ballarat.
A spokesperson said it worked alongside organisations such as the Department of Environment, Land, Water, and Planning and BADGAR Wildlife Rescue to ensure the ongoing safety of all wildlife around the lake.
"City of Ballarat rangers patrol the lake daily to ensure all users of the lake area are observing relevant rules and regulations. Those willfully ignoring these rules, including not keeping dogs on a leash, may be subject to fines or other penalties."
DELWP did not respond to questions about if they had issued any fines for wildlife incidents this year, but encouraged people to play their part to protect wildlife.
Just last week Ms Robertson spoke with The Courier about the number of birds and other small mammals being killed by roaming cats.
"There is a theme with companion animals killing wildlife in cities at the moment. It is the owner's responsibility - it all comes down to responsible pet ownership."
Injured wildlife can be taken to any vet for free. Dr Cowie encouraged anyone who finds injured wildlife to take it to a vet. She said vets treated all wildlife for free and that they did what they could to save as many animals as possible.