Goodbye, Rupert

NEWPORT HARBOR — A flotilla of canoes, kayaks, boats and gondolas gathered at the mouth of the harbor Saturday to say goodbye to Rupert, the beloved black swan accidentally killed last month by a Harbor Patrol boat rushing to an emergency.

As the Australian black swan’s ashes were sprinkled into the ocean Saturday morning, members of the Imua Outrigger Canoe Club raised their oars as a sign of respect for the bird.

The club and the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach organized the traditional Hawaiian paddle-out ceremony in memory of the swan, known for his grouchy but endearing disposition.

Lisa Birkle, the center’s assistant director, sprinkled Rupert’s ashes into the water from a canoe. Afterward, she picked out some rose petals from the water that were covered with Rupert’s ashes. She placed the petals into an urn, and gave it to Rupert’s and caretaker, Gay Wassall-Kelly.

“In today’s busy world, he was a breath of fresh air,” Wassall-Kelly said.

His waddle and cooing sounds were endearing to Wassall-Kelly’s family, as well as to the Newport Beach community who grew to love him, she said.

Wassall-Kelly became Rupert’s caretaker when he began hanging around her home 11 years ago. She watched over Rupert and Pearl, his swan mate who died in 2002.

Linda Feffer, who was on the same boat as Wassall-Kelly on Saturday, said Rupert was so well-known that his image was part of Newport Beach’s float in the 2006 Rose Parade.

“For this many people to show up to honor a dead swan is truly amazing,” Feffer said.

Marilee Jackson, a friend of Wassall-Kelly and an admirer of Rupert, said the swan was a survivor.

Debbie McGuire, the center’s wildlife director, agrees.

She met Rupert in 1996 when she treated him for fish hook injuries. McGuire later treated him for an illness he got from an oil spill.

During the ceremony, Patricia McCoy and others watched as a seal swam by the canoes during the memorial.

“Look at that little seal coming to say goodbye,” McCoy said, becoming emotional. “He probably knew Rupert.”

McCoy said people have asked her why all the attention for a bird.

“It’s not just a bird,” McCoy said. “He was everybody’s mascot for 15 years. He was loved by many, as cantankerous as he was.”

Two Harbor Patrol boats were among those that attended the memorial.

McCoy said Harbor Patrol officers took care of Rupert by giving him fresh water.

“He brought joy to everybody he met,” Wassall-Kelly said.

McGuire said there are plans to dedicate a wing in the wildlife education center in Rupert’s name.

Those who wish to make a donation to the center in Rupert’s memory may mail it to Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center, 21900 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92646. For information, call (714) 374-5587 or go to www.wwccoc.org.