TRANSPORTING ADULT SWANs and/or CYGNETs.

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Are You Planning to Move Swans to a New Home ??
Maybe to Your Home Pond or Private Lake ??
This may be Exciting for YOU.. ! !

But, might be Very Scary – even Traumatic for the Swans.Just the Act of Catching the Swans or Cygnets is Stressful.
Some Socialized Swans will Travel Very Well…
There are a Few that will be Terrified the Entire Time.
They Alarm Call and Panic which can Lead to Harmful STRESS and/or Physical Injuries.

It is TRUE that Stress Can Kill Birds.
Remember 3 Things – Be Calm, Stay Calm, Remain Calm.
If you want to know WHY…
SEARCH for and Read about – Capture Myopathy.

FROM: http://wildlifedisease.unbc.ca/
Exertional or Capture Myopathy (disease of the muscle) is a
Non-Infectious Disease of Muscles that is Characterized by Damage
to Muscle Tissues brought about by Physiological Changes,
usually following Extreme Exertion, Struggle and/or Stress.
This can be Fatal..

If a Swan starts to Struggle hold them just Enough to Control them
and Allow them to Calm Down.
Mute Swans generally Settle Down after a Quick Burst of Movement.
Trumpeter Swans tend to Struggle Longer.
We have Little Experience Traveling with other Species of Swans.

DO NOT HUG a Swan’s Ribs TOO Tightly.
They CAN NOT Breathe and will REALLY Struggle.
Speak Calmly and with a Soft Voice. Yelling will Scare a Swan.
   This Very Young Rescued Cygnet was all Alone in a BIG Carrier.
All her Nest Mates has been Taken by Predators.
She was Scared.      Whistling to her Helped.. 
I held her, Wrapped in a Towel for Part of the Trip.  Passenger Side.

You are taking Swans from their Home, where they feel Safe.
And in many Cases Away from their Swan Family.

You Can NOT Explain what their Future will be.
Time for a Move to Your New Home, Pond and Family.
I Hope to Share Information to Help you have a Safe Trip.

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PLAN AHEAD: There are Many Things to Do to get Ready.
It is GOOD to Transport Mid-to Late Morning..
The Swans need some Time to See and Adjust to their New Home/Pond.

Have a Large Dark Sheet or Blanket to Cover a Very Rammy Swan.
We have only had Two maybe Three Swans.. Panic.
Rarely Happens.. most Swans Travel Well..

Some are a Little Restless. Some will Stand and Prance..
They may Rake their Beak..
A Thinner Tube Sock ( with the Elastic Area Removed) over their Head will Stop Beak Injury.
Remove once the Swan Settles..

Have a Large Towel or Small Blanket Available.
Wrap the Swan with the Towel to Control their Wings..
This Helps get the Swan in the Carrier-Box without the Wings Flapping all over the Place.
The Swan’s Wings can REALLY Whack you ! ! The Towel is Helpful, if you Need to get into the Carrier-Box for any Reason.

Have EXTRA NewsPaper to Change if Needed.
For a Long Trip, Roll Up some of the Soiled Layers of Newspaper
and Toss when you Stop along the Way.
Have some Plastic Bags for the Soiled Papers.
Swans are BIG Messy Birds.. LOTs of Poop.

It Helps to have Water & Paper Towels for Clean-Ups.
I keep a Gallon of Fresh Water in our Van..
Just in case I need it for ANY Reason..

BE VERY CAREFUL if you try to do some Clean-up..
That the Swan does not get away from YOU !!!!*****************************************************

CONSIDER Your VEHICLE:

DO NOT PUT SWANs or CYGNETs LOOSE in your Vehicle.

This Distraction is NOT Safe for You or the Swans.
The Risk of Breaking their Wings, Legs and Necks.. TOO Risky.

   These Young Cygnet eventually Died.. from Bone Abscesses.

DO NOT PUT in the Back of a Truck Bed Open to the Air – UnSecured.
IF you need to Transport in a Truck Bed.. Cover Carrier with a TARP.
Shield the Swans from any Rain and Rapid Swirling Air or HOT SUN ! ! 

Will Your Vehicle Allow you to have LARGE Containers Safely Inside ?We can Put TWO Large Carriers in Our Van.
OUR TRAVEL-AIRE CARRIERs are 36″ X 26″ X 24″
We can Easily Move Mature Swans.

Is Your Air Conditioning and/or Heat Working. ??
BE VERY CAREFUL NOT to Over Heat the Swans.
You need to keep the Conditions inside the Carrier-Box Comfortable.

Comfortable Vehicle Temp is Important.
Being Dehydrated and Overheated can cause Brain Damage.

KEEP the Vehicle at a Comfortable Cool Temperature.
Inside the Carrier-BOX Can get TOO Warm. Check Swans Frequently.
Swans can GET VERY HOT in a Confined Space.

Swans have a HIGH Body Temperature Normally at Rest – 101-103 Degrees F.
When Swans are Active – Flying or Stressed their Temp may be 104-106 Degrees F.
Swans Normally are Able to Cool themselves in Water.
If the Swans or Cygnets are PANTING  <  <  <  <  <
They may be TOO HOT !!     This is VERY Stressful.

IF You Stop in Your Travels –
DO NOT Leave Your Vehicle in the SUN.

One Swan Moved by itself is more Frightening..
Two Swans Moved together are Comforting to Both.

For a Trip an Hour or Less.. you could Skip the Water.
but, a Chunk of Wet Lettuce is a Treat.
It is GOOD if you can See the Swans as you Travel..
Check Swans Once an Hour or Two. Listen for Activity.
Soft Vocal Sounds are the Swans Talking to you..
If they are ALARM Calling.. try to Comfort.. Stay Calm.

IF Transport Time is Over an Hour – Supply Water and Food.

Have a Gallon Jug of Fresh Cold Water with You. Corn and Lettuce.
Putting Whole Corn and/or Some Broken Lettuce in the Water Tub.
OR A Gallon Jug with the Shoulder Cut Out can be Tied to the Interior.. 
Secure Well so they CAN NOT Untie the Cord.. !!

Once you HEAR a Swan Drinking you will know it is Relaxed.
A Stressed Swans will NOT Eat or Drink.
When you hear them Slopping in the Water.
Smile, they are Relaxed.. A Sound I Love to Hear…

Keep Noise and Radio Low – CALM and Quiet is Best.
Talk to the Swans. Let them get to know your Calm Voice..

If your New Swans Perceives you are Kind and Caring…You may be Starting to Develop “Trust” with them.

DRIVE like you are Transporting a Fish Aquarium FULL of Water.
Do not Take Turns Quickly or STOP Suddenly.
The Swan may be Standing and this Might Twist their Legs..

 SWAN CYGNETs have FRAGILE LEGs
https://swanlovers.net/category/swan-cygnets-fragile-legs/
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Choose a SAFE Transport Carrier-Container-Sturdy Box.

Please have Separate Containers for the Larger Swans/Cygnets.
Mute Cygnets 4-8 Months Old should – Will Weight 16-20 Plus Pounds.
If One Swan gets Rammy or Panics – they are BIG and can Hurt Each Other.

A Swan’s BIG Feet have Toe Claws that can SCRATCH…
Swan Cygnet Leg Bones are STILL Fragile, they can Bend Easily.
This will not Correct itself.. Better to be Safe.

If you are Moving Mute Swans..
A Healthy Mature Mute Pen will be around 24-26 Pounds at most.
A Healthy Mature Mute Cob may Weigh as much as 30-Plus Pounds.

Black Australian Swans are Smaller.

Trumpeter Swans are Larger by Several Pounds.

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We use Large Hard Shell Pet Transport Carriers.Swans are BIGGER then they Look.

Mature Mute Cobs may Weigh 30 Plus Pounds..This BIG COB has been Transported MANY Times in this Carrier.

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These Come Apart for Easy Washing..
They Come in Various Sizes. A LARGE One is BEST.
OUR TRAVEL-AIRE CARRIERs are 36″ X 26″ X 24″
We can Easily Move Mature Swans.

These can be USED for Many Things.. VERY Helpful to Have.

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Recently, a Swan Friend Shared Information for these Pet Carriers.

36 X 25 X 25.. would be Perfect.. NOT to BIG or SMALL..
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These were not Available when we were Purchasing our Carriers..
I Like the Look of these.. AND the Handles..!!
Our Carriers do NOT have Handles.. So Wish they DID !!

NOW, I will Add One Comment.. SWANs are Very MESSY Birds.
They POOP a LOT ! These Mesh Sides might not Contain ALL
the Waste that the Cygnets/Swans will Expel..
Swan Waste is SOFT and Wet.
Maybe ADD an Old Shower Curtain or Tarp
to Protect your Vehicle’s Cargo Area..
On a LONG Trip there will be POOP !
SPLAT !!

I Like the Look of these.. 
I will not have an Opportunity to Use these.
Until a Person Uses Anything..
it is Tricky to know ALL the Pros & Cons.

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If you do not have a Suitable Transport Container,
Check with a Friend or Neighbor who might have a Large Carrier to Borrow.

OR If you do not have Large Pet Carriers Available.
GET a VERY LARGE Sturdy CardBoard Box..or Two.
The Box above would be Good for a Swan/Cygnet 10-15 Pounds.

For Mature Swans Try to have Large Sturdy Boxes 36″ X 26″ X 24″
Check these  Boxes will FIT in your Vehicle..

More Info will Follow.. about CardBoard Boxes.

If you are Transporting Very Young Cygnets Smaller Carriers are OK.
Medium Size Cat Pet Carriers. > > >Double Check the Carrier Door is Secure.

Only put 2-3 Young Cygnets in One Container. 
They should be OK Together – Comforting Each Other.
A Large Brood 4-8 in ONE Container will Crowd into the Corners.
> > >Smaller Cygnets may be Suffocated.

Check them Frequently. Provide some WET Chopped Lettuce..
Many Times Cygnets will Crowd into the Corners when Scared.
This Crowding Behavior is Common when Cygnets are 1-6 Weeks Old.
The Crowding may Result in Smaller Cygnets Suffocating.
Make sure all the Cygnets are Breathing.

Lots of NewsPaper for the Bottom of the Carrier Allows me
to Roll-up and Discard most of the Poop.
Expect LOTs of POOP – that is Normal.
Young Swan Cygnets are Eating POOP Machines…
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SEVERAL TIMES we NEEDED to CARE for a SWAN OVER NIGHT !
Then Head OFF to their NEW HOME in the Morning.
OR When we had an Early Morning Veterinarian Appointment.
Most Swans are Comfortable in the Carriers.. We Check on them Frequently.
This is an Adult Female Mute Swan.. You can See she has Ample Room. 
She was in the Carrier between 20-24 Hours.
This Young Female Knew us Well.. Trusted Us.

Her New Home was a Beautiful Place. 

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ONE WAY – DISPOSABLE TRANSPORT BOXES.
Swans are BIG MESSY Birds – Lots of POOP..

LARGE STURDY CARDBOARD BOXES – WORK WELL.
These are Safer for Transporting Swans/Cygnets then Wire Dog Carriers..
( Info Below..)

PLAN for an Adult Swan – 30 Plus Pounds.
Find BIG STURDY CARDBOARD Boxes at:

CRAFT, BOOK and RESTAURANT SUPPLY STORES.
APPLIANCE and AUTO SUPPLY STORES.
UPS and FED-EX SHIPPING STORES have LARGE STURDY BOXES.
Home Depot and Lowes have LARGE Cardboard Boxes..
These Boxes will be Comfortable for Medium Size Swans..  20-25 Pounds..

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For Mature Swans Try to have Large Sturdy Boxes 36″ X 26″ X 24″
Check these will FIT in your Vehicle.

Add a Dozen or MORE Holes for Ventilation.
Air Holes NOT Larger then 2 Inches.  ( Smaller Holes for Young Cygnets.)
Their Heads can come through Larger Holes.
Swans and Cygnets may Hang themselves
trying to Pull their Heads Back into the Box.

Line & Tape to the Bottom a Large Trash-Garbage Bag to make a Moisture Barrier.
Swans are Messy Birds. Add Generous Thick Layers of Newspaper.
Straw is OPTIONAL. NO HAY ! !

A LARGE 3 Pound Margarine Tub Fixed to One Corner.
To Provide about 3 Inches of Fresh Cold Water.
Some Chopped Lettuce and maybe some Corn in the Water Tub.
Have Scratch for Young Cygnets.. and a Smaller Water Tub.

   A Gallon Plastic Jug is a QUICK Travel Feed and Water Container.

Fresh Water in an Attached Tub or Jug – Several Inches. NOT TOO Full.
Better to Occasionally Add some Water then have a WET Mess.

When you Put a Swan in the Box – Orient it to Reach the Water Tub.
Otherwise they may not be able to Turn Around….

BE SURE you have a Way to Secure the OPEN FLAPs.
You do NOT want a Swan Loose in your Vehicle.
Bungees or Ropes
Take Care the Swan can not get Tangled.

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SIDE STORY: One Gal Picked-Up TWO BIG Cygnets in Boxes
without any way to Keep the Boxes Closed.
On the Two Hour Drive Home the Cygnets GOT OUT
into her Car SEVERAL TIMEs.
A BIG Poop Mess. PLUS it was NOT SAFE DRIVING.

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Inside the BOX Can get TOO Warm.. Check Swans Frequently.
IF You Stop in Your Trip Home..
DO NOT Leave your Vehicle in the SUN !

Once the Swan is Finally HOME and OUT of the Box..
DISCARD.. NO NEED to WASH a BOX !!

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When you Get to the Swans Destination..
Try to Allow them to Leave the Carrier on their Own.
Some Times we have Removed the Carrier Top..
Seeing their New Home.. is a Lot to Take in for a Swan.
SOME Swans WANT to GET to the WATER…

The New Swans will take a Splashy Bath once on your Pond.

On Transport Day TRY to Stay with the Swan/Swans
until they are Comfortable-OK and Staying on the New Pond.

Some Swans Adjust Very Quickly..
Some are Bewildered and just Want to Go Back Home..
There is Some Benefit from a Quiet Place to Rest and Adjust.
TRY to Stay with the Swans the First Day or Two.. ! !
Check they are on the Pond at SunSet and First Thing in the Morning.

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*** When you Go to Pick-up Cygnets:

If there is TIME, ask about their Parents.. ??? Related or Unrelated..???
Try NOT to acquire Brother – Sister Pairings..
Try to get your Breeding Pairs from Different Broods.

Ask for about 3-4 Days Worth of the Feed they Normally are Eating.
This will let you know what their Diet has been.
This will be a Clue to their General Health.
A Cygnet 6-8 Months Old should be 18-20+ Pounds.

Check for the Pinioned Wing. OR the Clipped Wing.
IF the Swan or Cygnet is FULL-WING.. CLIP ASAP ! ! !
Otherwise, when you get Home the Swan will Fly Away !!!!!

Clipping Captive Swan Pets          READ this Complete Page
https://swanlovers.net/category/clipping-captive-swan-pets/

Ask for the DNA-Sex Certificate.. Check the Date.. Check ID.  > >If Valid.
The Date and Information on the Certificate should make Sense..

If Sex-Vent Checked: It is more Reliable for Males..
> > > IF the Boy Parts are Found.
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For Females Vent Sexing is Unreliable.
If the Female is 3-4 Years Old.. they should Lay Eggs in the Spring. 
> > > Eggs = Female..
Over the Years we have become Aware of a Number of Female Swans
that NEVER Lay Eggs.

Once Home, BE SURE Your New Swans or Cygnets are EATING.
If a Swan or Cygnet is not Familiar with Bag Poultry-Waterfowl Feeds…
If they have only been Fed Corn – Poultry-Waterfowl Feed is Foreign.
Feral- Wild Rescues need to Learn what Commercial Bag Feed is.
Put some Feed in their Drinking Water so they Taste it.

During Cold Months, when there are NO Plants to Eat 
a New Swan may NOT Understanding you are Providing Food.
This is a Reason for a New Swan to Wander Away. 
Make SURE they are Eating ! !

Here a Resident Swan MAY be Helpful. (Not Always)
When they Eats from a Feed Mix Container the New Swan/Cygnet will see.
Swans do Learn from each other.

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LARGE Wire Transport Carriers
Commonly used for Dogs.

The Typical Wire Dog Carrier-Cage.  NO – Not a Good Idea ! ! Not the Safest.

The Risk of Breaking Feathers in this Type of Wire Pet Carrier is VERY High.
Especially, Soon after New Blood Feathers Emerge.
  CHECK for ANY Broken Bleeding Feathers !

If BLOOD FEATHERs are Present at the Time of Transport DO NOT use these.

The LONG Flight Feathers can get Caught, Break and Bleed.
New Tail Feathers can Bleed.. Swan DO NOT have Extra Blood.
ANY Blood Lose is a Concern..

A Rammy Swan may Injure their Toe Claws and Webbing between the Wire Bars.

As I Talk with Swan Folks..
ONE Person had a Swan get a Leg/Foot through the Wire Bars.
The Swan Struggled to get Free.. Cutting the Thin Leg Skin..
This Swan had to Heal for 10-12 Days before being Released to the Water. 
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Another Person had a Swan Push its Head through the Bars..
and they had to CUT One Bar Totally Out to Get that Swan Free.
Using Wire Carriers is VERY RISKY ! 
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*** If you ONLY have a Large Wire Type Dog Carrier.
It is BEST to Line the Insides with CardBoard.
( Make Sure the Swans can NOT Swallow Any Strings or Twist Ties.)

Line Bottom with LOTs of NewsPaper or Straw..
NO HAY ! !

DO NOT Put a Swan or Cygnet on Your Pond
if there are ANY BLEEDING Feathers or Bleeding Cuts.
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For an EMERGENCY Transport.. for an Injured or Sick Swan
A Laundry or Large Duffel Bag is Useful.


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GOOD LUCK Moving-Traveling with Your Swans.

I Wishing you many Happy Years with these Enchanting Creatures.I Love to Visit Swans.

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SOME EXTRA GENERAL NOTES.
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I have found Used Pet Carriers at various Second Hand Stores.
Check Yard Sales and Auctions or some times on CraigsList.
You might find a Large Pet Carrier at a Reasonable Price.

OVER TIME: We have found a Variety of Pet Carriers along the Road. 
Placed out for the Weekly Trash Collection.
Some have been Like New.

ALWAYS WASH Well… Disinfect with 10% Bleach.

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Consider HAVING at Least ONE LARGE Box READY at ALL Times.
It is Good to have Something READY, if “God Forbid” you would
NEED to take a Swan to the Vets.

It is a Good Idea for any Swans Owner to have One Box like this Ready 
” Just in Case” there is an Emergency
and a Swan Needs to be taken for Medical Attention.

An Injured or Sick Swan Needs Help Quickly.
When a Swan is in Trouble, they are in Trouble.
Preparing a Transport Box takes Time the Swan may not have.

If the Swan is Weak – you Could Just Wrap them in an Old Sheet..

If a Swan was attacked by an Animal.. DO NOT Touch them with Bare Hands.
BE VERY Careful.. to Protect yourself.. Protect your EYEs.
Mammal Saliva MAY CARRY Rabies.

Swans do not get Rabies.. In General Birds do not..
But, if you have a Swan, or Bird, or Pet that is Attack..
be sure to Protect Yourself.. Hands, Arms, etc..

If you have any Pet/Swan that Dies from an Animal Attack..
Try NOT to Touch it with your Bare Hands..
Put – Wrap in TWO Plastic Bags. Then YOU WASH VERY WELL..

For any Swan or Cygnet that Dies for an Unknown Reason,
We send to the Department of Agriculture Pathology Lab for a Necropsy.
A Complete Diagnositic Necropsy for PA Residents is around $50-100.00.
CALL PADLS for Instruction and where to Send.
Having a LARGE Box on Hand can be Useful and Save Time.

Swan, Duck and Geese are Sentinel Bird.

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SHIPPING Swans by OverLand Mail or Air..
is VERY Risky..

People Experienced with Shipping Swans by Air or Land
have better Success then the Average Swan Owner. 

Recently, GMA did Segments about Pets-Animals Shipped by Air.
How many Deaths Occur.. ESPECIALLY, in Hot Weather.

I want to WARN YOU… Summer is a TERRIBLE Time of Year to Ship Swans.
The Poor Animals that go by Air are put in Cargo Areas with little Temperature
or Air Quality Control.. In the Winter Temperatures may be below Freezing.

IF they go by U.S. Land Mail they are NOT in Temperature Controlled Trucks.
And, they are just a Box in the Back of the Trucks.

In Both Methods they may be Set Out in the Sun on
Concrete or Asphalt between Connections.
This is WHY we will NOT Ship or Fly Swans
that we Arrange Adoption for.

Shipping Mortality is HIGH during Summer Months..
Spring and Fall are the Safest Time to Ship – If you Do.

There are Private, Commercial WaterFowl Breeders across the United States.
These Folks have Experience with Sales and Shipping of their Birds.
Checking with them may will give you Tips to Improve the Safe Arrival of Birds.

Years ago, you could Purchase Insurance to Cover the Value of a Swan. 
But, the Losses were TOO Frequent.
The Air Services Changed to just $100.00 for any Animal Loss.
Now I am not sure they will Insure at All.

** Express Mail – Insurance is for Damaged Container not the Swan.

It is JUST not Safe to Fly Swans.. the Containers are so Small.
If the Transport is Delayed they can be in Real Trouble – Stress – Panic.
The Risk is HIGH.. The Swan can become Terrified.. > > >No One to Comfort it !

With ALL Forms of Commercial Shipping there are Lots of Regulations to Observe.
Veterinary Health Check Certificates, some States require Vaccinations..

An Unacceptable Number of Swans and Cygnets DO NOT Arrive OK.
The Boxes-Container they are Shipped in are NOT Treated with Care.
The Shipping Companies – U.S.Postal or Air, etc. Do NOT take Responsibility.
An Injured or Dead Swans does NO One any Good..
Depending on the Time of Year.. Summer – Winter
The Risk is VERY High.. TOO HOT – TOO COLD.

It is NOT SAFE to Transport without Air Conditioning in HOT Weather.
The Swans need their Feet in Water to Regulate their Temperature.
When they are Stressed.. they can easily OVERHEAT..
Stress can Kill them.. BIG Problem with Birds in General.
Being Dehydrated and Overheated can cause Brain Damage.

It would be WISE to have an Agreement between the Seller
and the Buyer who will be Responsible for the Monetary Loss.

The Lives of these Precious Swans are Worth Transporting In Person.
Have your Swans Moved by Private Vehicle. Drive there.
You can Check on them.. Comfort them.. Provide Food and Water.
Make sure they are Traveling OK..

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This is a Work In Progress
(c) Linda M.Sweger     UpDated September  2023

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