Broughshane Waterfowl Park birds return after oil spill
Resident birds return to Broughshane Waterfowl Park in County Antrim after a 200-litre heating oil spill caused by vandalism killed 13 birds.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Resident birds have returned to Broughshane Waterfowl Park in County Antrim.
- A 200-litre home heating oil spill from vandalism previously killed 13 birds.
- Over 20 birds received specialist emergency care from the USPCA.
Resident birds have made their way back to Broughshane Waterfowl Park in County Antrim after surviving a devastating oil contamination incident that resulted in the deaths of 13 members of the flock and forced the popular local attraction to shut down temporarily.
The disaster unfolded after a home heating oil tank situated at a nearby business premises along Main Street in Broughshane was vandalized, causing approximately 200 litres (44 gallons) of kerosene heating oil to leak directly into the park's pond.
Gary Hayward, chairman of the Broughshane Environment Wildfowl and Wildlife Trust, stated that around 10 to 12 birds have now safely returned to their enclosures, including two black swans and Nenes, noting that they are fortunate to be in healthy condition.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Following the initial incident, more than 20 birds were urgently transported to the USPCA headquarters to receive specialized veterinary care. The animal welfare organization explained that geese, ducks, and swans alike required thorough bathing and medical treatment due to severe chemical contamination from the spill, though several had already ingested fatal amounts of oil.
"They have made problems a lot less than they could have been."
Gary Hayward, Broughshane Environment Wildfowl and Wildlife Trust chairman
The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), which was alerted to the crisis on Thursday, October 22, has been leading efforts to extract the oil waste. Hayward noted that very little evidence of the contaminant remains thanks to the NIEA removing the vast majority of the spill.
Environmental contamination events involving petroleum products pose severe physiological threats to waterfowl. When oil coats feathers, it destroys their natural waterproofing and insulation, leading to hypothermia. Furthermore, birds instinctively preen their feathers, causing them to ingest toxic hydrocarbons that damage internal organs. Prompt decontamination by rescue organizations like the USPCA is critical to preventing systemic organ failure in wildlife affected by such spills.
Although the park has officially reopened to visitors, updates on social media from The Waterfowl Pond confirm that cleanup work is ongoing, with several pens remaining cordoned off until all lingering traces of oil around the pond edges are completely cleared.
Meanwhile, local police confirmed that inquiries into the vandalism are still active and have appealed to anyone possessing information regarding the incident to come forward to assist investigators.
Source: BBC Science & Environment
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