WESTMINSTER, Md. -- A beloved mute swan named Grumpy has managed to avoid the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and returned home after disappearing a month ago, according to the Humane Society of Carroll County.
The staff in Westminster saw the swan Wednesday, called out his name and watched with joy as the swan swam across a pond to them, Society Executive Director Nicky Ratliff said.
Grumpy disappeared May 11, the Associated Press reported. He wasn't injured and only had dirty feathers when he came swimming back on Wednesday, Ratliff said.
Meanwhile, the DNR declared war on mute swans because they eat too much underwater grass, which is critical for filtering bay water and controlling erosion, biologists said.
Grumpy got his name because a former owner said he couldn't get along with other swans, Ratliff said. However, he's been doing fine living in a doghouse at the humane society's pond for the past three years.
The staff had been afraid he was taken by someone looking for a friend for their own swan because Grumpy can't fly, and there was no sign of white feathers to lead them to think he was attacked by a predator.
