Now that Lake LaVerne’s new trumpeter swans have had a few weeks to adapt to their new home, officials are concerned with a possible crisis: emergency swan care.

Officials from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Iowa State’s Wildlife Care Clinic held a swan handling class at the cryogenics lab of the College of Veterinary Medicine Wednesday afternoon to teach volunteers how to deal with trumpeter swans in emergencies.

“Of the seven types of swans, trumpeter swans are the most mobile,” said Pat Schlarbaum, a DNR official. “We’re here to train people what to do if the trumpeter swans are displaced on campus.”

Members of the Wildlife Care Clinic, DNR and the Liberal Arts & Science Council, that attended the clinic got hands-on instruction in swan handling.

Schlarbaum said the swans wander at nesting time in early March or April, looking for a place to nest. He said the enclosed nesting island or “swan sanctuary” has been designed to address this biological need, but swan handling training is necessary in case the swans wander when swimming freely.

“We don’t know quite what to expect,” Schlarbaum said. “All swans have different temperaments.”

Maryann Nieves, director of the Wildlife Care Clinic, said if the swans are injured, they will be sent to the clinic for primary care.

“In the past, we’ve treated the swans for lacerations, wing trauma and sometimes just for observation or rest,” Nieves said.

A swan contingency plan will soon be available to deal with any emergencies.

The swan handling class was videotaped by the Iowa State Department of Public Safety to be used as a teaching aid later.

“This training is something all officers need,” said Mike Bailey, DPS patrol officer.

Bailey said in the event of a swan emergency, people may call DPS at any hour for assistance in returning the swan to safety or delivering it to the clinic.