Beloved Swan at Suburban Lake Katherine Dies

Nature center unsure which of the mute swan pair passed away.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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One of the mute swans that called Lake Katherine in Palos Heights, Illinois home has died, according to an announcement from the nature center. Officials say they do not know which of the pair passed away, as the swans are wild and not tagged. The cause of death is also unknown, as state biologists require at least five waterfowl deaths within two weeks to conduct testing.

Why it matters

Lake Katherine is a popular nature refuge that has been home to a variety of wildlife, including the iconic mute swan pair that have drawn visitors for years. The death of one of the swans is a loss for the community and raises questions about the challenges of managing and monitoring wild animal populations in suburban areas.

The details

The nature center said there were no signs of predation or injury, and no autopsy or testing will be done on the deceased swan. Mute swans are not native to the U.S. and were first introduced to Illinois in 1971 as decorative birds for lakes. Their lifespan in the wild is typically 10-20 years. The nature center treats any bird death as a potential avian flu case to keep staff safe, as the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus has been spreading and killing millions of birds and other animals since 2022.

  • The swan died on Friday, March 3, 2026.
  • Lake Katherine has been a refuge for migrating birds and other wildlife since 2005.

The players

Lake Katherine Nature Center

A nonprofit nature refuge and botanical garden in Palos Heights, Illinois that offers educational programs and aims to connect people with nature.

Gareth Blakesley

The Chief Naturalist at Lake Katherine Nature Center.

Mute Swans

A pair of non-native swans that have been a popular attraction at Lake Katherine for years.

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What they’re saying

“We don't have tags on them, because they're not our animals. They're wild. Every animal comes and goes here.”

— Gareth Blakesley, Chief Naturalist, Lake Katherine Nature Center (cbsnews.com)

“It probably was a couple from a previous year, but these are likelihoods and not necessarily known things.”

— Gareth Blakesley, Chief Naturalist, Lake Katherine Nature Center (cbsnews.com)

“Unfortunately, when they do pass, it could be a number of things, like a hard winter or disease.”

— Gareth Blakesley, Chief Naturalist, Lake Katherine Nature Center (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The nature center will continue to monitor the remaining swan and the overall wildlife population at Lake Katherine.

The takeaway

The death of the beloved mute swan at Lake Katherine is a reminder of the challenges of managing and protecting wild animal populations, even in suburban nature refuges. The incident highlights the importance of education and conservation efforts to preserve these iconic species for future generations.