The Department of Conservation is considering how to deal with a solitary white swan whose aggressive behaviour is worrying people walking along a riverbank in Nelson.
DoC has recently had complaints about the bird hissing at children and even chasing them on the banks of the Maitai River.
Ornithologist Peter Gaze says the solitary swan is more aggressive than normal because it is breeding season.
He says DoC may try to find it a mate or move it to a new location, though the preference is to leave the swan where it is.
He says people should give the swan a wide berth if it is aggressive.
