Iconic black swan dies

He’s survived fish hooks, oil spills and the less-than-desirable Newport Bay water, but after about 15 years, the unofficial Newport Peninsula mascot Rupert has died. A Newport Harbor Patrol boat struck him while responding to reports of a body floating in the harbor Wednesday, authorities said.

The deputy driving the boat saw Rupert swim out of the mooring area and tried to avoid the swan but because of a large marker in the water was unable to steer completely clear, Harbor Patrol Sgt. David Ginther said.

“Our patrol boat was responding Code 3, lights and sirens, to the body … and as they came to a certain section in the water, Rupert came swimming out,” Ginther said. The deputy “wasn’t sure what had happened but knew he was close and proceeded down to the dead body.”

The black swan that had patrolled the bay waters was found on the Balboa Yacht Club dock, Ginther said.

“It’s tragic,” Ginther said. “We were going to try to save a person and we very likely killed Rupert.”

The death of the locally beloved swan — whose likeness was even featured on Newport Beach’s float in the 2006 Rose Parade — saddened those who learned the news Wednesday night.

“We’ve been taking care of him for so many years, and I just thought nothing would ever happen to him,” said Gay Wassall-Kelly, who watched over Rupert and his late companion Pearl, who died in 2002.

Rupert showed up in the bay around 1990 or ‘91, said Debbie McGuire, wildlife director for the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach and the hospital manager for All Creatures Care Cottage, where Rupert had been a patient.

“We’ve helped him a lot, and he always rebounded,” McGuire said. “He was a tough guy, a very healthy bird, and he probably had many years left.”

Swans can live to be about 30 or 35 years old, she said, and it was estimated Rupert was about 16 years old, although no one could be sure.

About 11 years ago, Rupert happened upon the beach for a snack in front of Wassall-Kelly’s home.

“He came up and tapped my granddaughter on the shoulder … 11 years ago, and he’s never left our beach,” she said.

As Harbor Patrol tried to piece together what had happened to Rupert, Ginther interviewed a group of young sailors who said they saw a red boat racing past the area where Rupert was swimming, which was his first clue the Harbor Patrol boat was responsible.

“He’s kind of an icon,” Ginther said.

Fighting back tears, Wassall-Kelly spoke about Rupert like one of her children, telling stories about Rupert’s morning wake-up “beeps.” Although feeding ducks is not allowed, she said, the city issued a special order letting her feed the swan, which was native to Australia.

Many residents in the area knew Rupert and enjoyed his company.

“He would actually drink fresh water out of your hand,” said Jim Mahoney, owner of Gondola Co. of Newport.

Rupert had scars from encounters with fish hooks and his 2000 swim through a diesel fuel spill. His longtime mate Pearl died after a 2001 fuel spill left her immune system susceptible to infections.

McGuire said Rupert’s body would most likely be cremated and the ashes returned to Wassall-Kelly who may want to sprinkle his ashes in the harbor.

“What a character,” McGuire said. “I’m going to miss him.”