Lancelot and Elaine are back.

Last week two new trumpeter swans were released into Lake LaVerne, a little over a year after the Liberal Arts and Sciences Council and the Iowa State Trumpeter Swan Committee decided to replace the old mute swans.

Keeping swans on Lake LaVerne has been a combined effort of ISU students, faculty and staff for 18 years.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources bought the new swans, but Ron Andrews from the DNR said credit for the project should go to ISU students.

The Trumpeter Swan Committee, with members from the ISU Furharvesters Club, Fisheries and Wildlife Biology Club, Student Environmental Council and the ISU Ducks Unlimited chapter helped bring the swans to Lake LaVerne as part of a larger state campaign to re-introduce trumpeter swans to Iowa.

“It’s been quite the team effort bringing these birds back to Iowa,” said Aaron Hershberger, ISU Trumpeter Swan Committee representative.

ISU faculty members have also been instrumental in maintaining a swan presence in Lake LaVerne. Bill Larson, manager of the ISU Poultry Farm, has been “important to the whole project,” said George Knaphus, advisor of the LAS Council.

Larson and his staff have been responsible for feeding the swans, making sure they do not get hurt or sick and catching them in the winter.

Larson said he doesn’t mind taking care of the swans. But, “I wouldn’t mind a bit if the catching of the swans went to someone else,” he said. Catching the large birds usually requires Larson’s entire staff of five people.

“I’ve spent many Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks trying to catch them,” he said.

Those duties, however, are a thing of the past. A new aeration system installed in the lake will keep part of the water from freezing. Lancelot and Elaine will now be able to stay on the lake year-round.