Two black swans have stopped eating for four days after five of their eggs were suspected stolen from a scenic spot in Taian City, East China’s Shandong Province, local media reported.

　　当地媒体报道，中国东部山东省泰安市的一个旅游景点内，两只黑天鹅的5颗蛋被偷走，它们因此4天未进食了。

　　On Feb. 1, a keeper discovered that the birds were in a distressed state, stretching their long necks, making loud sounds and being more aggressive. Further scrutiny showed that five eggs were missing, said Li Yaming, a manager at the scenic spot.

　　2月1日，一饲养员发现两只天鹅显得很焦虑，伸长了脖子，大声鸣叫，攻击性也增强了。饲养员走近观察发现窝里的5颗天鹅蛋全不见了，景点经理李亚明说。

　　A surveillance video at the site showed that two tourists, one man and one woman, were near the black swans for approximately half an hour, and seemed to motion toward the eggs after taking photographs.

　　景区一段监控视频显示，一男一女两名游客在天鹅旁逗留约半小时，拍了不少照片，而后又像是指着天鹅蛋。

　　Li said the tourists are suspected of stealing the eggs.

　　李经理说，这两人有偷走天鹅蛋的嫌疑。

　　Swans are under second class animal protection in China. Because they pair for life, they are often seen as a symbol of eternal and faithful love in Chinese culture.

　　天鹅是国家二级保护动物，因为它严守“一夫一妻”制，因此在中国文化中常被视作永恒和忠贞爱情的象征。

　　Both parents share the care of the nest. A typical clutch contains four to seven eggs that are incubated for about 36 days, and the birth rate is about 50 percent. Black swans will aggressively defend their nests with their wings and beaks.

　　天鹅夫妻共同照顾它们的窝。天鹅一次正常产下大约4—7枚蛋，整个孵化期为36天，孵化出的天鹅成活率也仅有50%。黑天鹅守窝时，翅膀和喙非常具有攻击性。

　　Staff at the scenic spot also said the unfertilized eggs are not edible and cannot be incubated again. They can’t be used for decorative purposes either, as they may burst in hot temperatures.

　　景区的工作人员还说，未孵化的天鹅蛋既不能食用也不能孵化小天鹅，即便摆在家中观赏也不行，因为天气炎热时可能会爆裂。

　　The scenic spot has reported the matter to police for further investigation.

　　景区已向当地派出所报案，目前案件正在进一步调查中。

（编辑：何莹莹）