Foxes are gaining easier access to birds because of the drying lake. ( Supplied: WA Seabird Rescue )
Wildlife rescuers are working to save cygnets from foxes at a rapidly drying Lake McLarty, south of Perth.
They claim rescue efforts have been hampered by red tape and government approvals.
The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions says rescuers are allowed in the area but warns of public safety risks.
Wildlife rescuers are mounting a community-led effort to save more than 50 vulnerable or abandoned black swan cygnets at a drying lake south of Mandurah.
WARNING: This story contains images of dead birds some readers may find distressing.
Rescue groups spent most of today negotiating the terms of their operation with WA's Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), which manages McLarty Lake, about 90 kilometres south of Perth.
WA Seabird Rescue's Rachel Olsen vented her frustration with red tape as foxes picked off abandoned cygnets.
"We were only just made aware of the situation, but it is really quite urgent," she said.
"As of this morning, I went out really early; the water level is down, and there's only about 60 cygnets left."
Black swans are vulnerable to predation at Lake McLarty. ( Supplied: WA Seabird Rescue )
While the department says wildlife rescuers can access the reserve, it was wary that a large-scale rescue operation could pose public safety risks.
"DBCA has also been in discussions with WA Seabird Rescue regarding the organisation of a larger event involving around 100 people, which may pose additional public safety risks that will need to be managed," a spokesperson said.
"DBCA continues to work with WA Seabird Rescue to facilitate volunteer wildlife rehabilitators accessing the reserve to monitor and rescue cygnets."
A dead cygnet was found at Lake McLarty, south of Mandurah. ( Supplied: WA Seabird Rescue )
Ms Olsen said the situation had evolved quickly and rescue was set to take place this afternoon.
"Some of them have been abandoned, but we basically need to scoop them all up," she said.
"We know that in a few days all of these cygnets will be dead; the parents have no choice but to abandon them."
Ms Olsen said the lake was drying up earlier than usual, forcing adult swans to abandon their young because of the risk of predation.
Water levels are low at Lake McLarty. ( Supplied: WA Seabird Rescue )
"Parents don't want to abandon their babies, but as they face increasing pressure and are running out of food, all the swans are getting concentrated into one area, and then the foxes come in," she said.
