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Famed Black Swan, Rupert, Killed By Harbor Patrol

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Sep 14, 2006 9:33 pm US/Pacific

Famed Black Swan, Rupert, Killed By Harbor Patrol

NEWPORT HARBOR, Calif. (AP) ―

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Rupert, a legendary Australian black swan known for chasing lifeguards and boaters in Newport Harbor, has died.

The Harbor Patrol inadvertently ran Rupert over Wednesday as they rushed to the scene of a dead body in the water nearby.

His love affair with a younger swan, Pearl, several years ago, captivated the community. Pearl died in 2002 after swimming through some oil. Residents say a distraught Rupert kept calling for her after her death.

Local resident Gay Wassall-Kelly has looked after Rupert for more than 13 years. She says she's received dozens of phone calls from city officials and residents offering their condolences. She says "the whole harbor misses him."

A local rowing club plans to organize a burial at sea.