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Kentia Kalanaki Zeus, the University of Nevada, Reno’s resident swan for the past few decades, passed away on Monday, March 10th. UNR posted the following on its social media commemorating the majestic bird: “It is with great sadness that the @unevadareno announces the passing of Zeus, the beloved swan who called our University and Manzanita Lake his home. The iconic male white mute swan was a long-term resident who graced the waters of Manzanita Lake, serving as the centerpiece of a serene setting that students, faculty, staff and community members could find a sense of peace in watching. Known for his striking white feathers and gentle demeanor, Zeus was a symbol of tranquility for the campus. There was nothing like taking a few minutes of our busy days to watch Zeus glide across the calm waters of Manzanita. Rest in peace, Zeus. You will be greatly missed.” The post was met with many heartfelt comments from UNR students, showing how much he meant to the community. “I’m gonna miss him. He’s made my day so many times these last few years,“ says one UNR student. Another comments “that lake will never be the same. 💔” Although there was some controversy over his death, with rumors circulating about his death being human-caused launching a police investigation into the matter, the rumors seem to have been false, or at the very least exaggerated. UNR has had a long history of keeping swans in the Manzanita Lake: ever since 1920, many different swans have made the university their home. In the late ‘90s and early 2000s, they even had iconic Australian Black Swans. Zeus himself, also a resident of the lake since the early 2000s, had two mates. According to posts made by someone claiming to be his old caretaker, he was smitten with his old mate, Olivia, who passed away due to old age. After coming to accept his new made, he had multiple rounds of cygnets with her. Their first failed attempt at raising their children led to a huge fundraising campaign that raised more than $18,000 to make improvements to their habitat and the creation of their island and shed in the Lake. The next year, they successfully raised 5 cygnets, and once they grew up UNR found new homes and sanctuaries for them to claim their own territories.  Zeus and his cygnets, ©Kentia Kalanaki After his passing, UNR students put together an altar for him at the Manzanita Lake, with a picture of him, flowers, little notes commemorating him, tiny swan figurines, and even one of his feathers.  |
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