Swan gets over the silent type

A long love story is over at a German zoo: Petra the swan and her swan-shaped paddle boat 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 northern city of Muenster decided to let her stay with it over the winter, bringing both bird and boat into a city zoo.

This winter, however, Petra met a live swan. Zoo director Joerg Adler says she and her new mate -- a white swan -- are building a nest together.

The boat is to be returned to its owner Thursday.