The end of the affair

Petra the swan separates from boat

BERLIN–A long and unusual German love story is over.
Petra the swan and her swan-shaped paddleboat are parting ways.
Petra, a black swan, became a minor celebrity in 2006 when she became so attached to the boat – which is shaped like an oversized white swan – that she refused to leave its side.
Officials in the western city of Muenster decided to let her stay with it over the winter, bringing both bird and boat into a city zoo.

However, Petra met a live swan this winter.
Zoo director Joerg Adler says Petra and her new mate – a white swan – are building a nest together.
The boat is to be returned to its local owner on Thursday.