Have you heard the story of the "Royal Swans" 🦢 of Lakeland, Florida? Swans were once native to this lake that I am visiting. But by 1954 they were no more due to disease, predators, and habitat loss. Some Lakeland residents wrote to Queen Elizabeth II requesting help. The Queen agreed to send a pair of mute swans from the Thames River near London to replenish the swan population. In 1957, the "Royal Swans" were brought to Lake Morton. Ever since, they have been studying them. Every year, they round them up to do wellness checks. And today, there are more than 80 descendents of those royal swans. I found the story and this town fascinating! Thank you Lakeland! #lakeland #lakelandflorida #royalswans #royalswansevent