LONDON - Teams of census-takers have taken to the River Thames for the colorful annual count of Queen Elizabeth II's swans -- a blend of science and ceremony that dates to the 12th Century.
Swan wardens and zoologists count, measure and mark the swans in order to safeguard the population and determine its health in an event known as swan upping. By tradition, the monarch owns all the swans found in Britain's open waters, and the event assesses their overall well-being.
The queen deploys her envoys down the river for five days to see how her swans have fared from potential threats like minks, fish hooks and hooligans using air guns.
So far, things aren't looking good. The Queen's Swan Marker, David Barber says the numbers found Monday were disappointing.
