Black swan lives on in MySpace

A portion of the sales will go toward the Wetland and Wildlife Center in Huntington Beach, the group that cared for Rupert when he was hurt. A new wing in the center has been named after the famed Newport Harbor resident.

Rupert's former caretaker, peninsula resident Gary Wassall-Kelly, visited the Web page for the first time Thursday.

"He had a fish hook in his beak, and that's when we first saved him," Wassall-Kelly reminisced while viewing the photo of her old friend.

"I think it's wonderful," she added. "All ages now can enjoy him, whereas [at] the film festival you didn't get a lot of children."

During Rupert's stay in the harbor, Wassall-Kelly used to post signs in the window of her home on the Balboa Peninsula telling visitors where Rupert could be found over the years. Now she plans on posting a new sign.

It may go something like this: Looking for Rupert? Try www.myspace.com/rupert_the_swan .

"He was just dumped in the harbor, had to find food, became injured, lost his mate and he still lives years after that," Wassall-Kelly said. What other tale could better parallel human struggles, she added.

No one seems to be able to explain how this dead bird continues to make news. But, said Shackeroff, "so did Elvis."