The spill was discovered on a Thursday morning by a volunteer after kerosene escaped from a vandalized domestic heating oil tank. Rescuers transported more than 20 affected birds to the USPCA headquarters for emergency care, though handlers caution that symptoms of toxic ingestion are often hidden. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency continues clean-up efforts on the pond, which must be fully restored before any non-native species can safely return. Police are actively appealing to the public for information to help identify who damaged the fuel tank.
Key points
Broughshane Waterfowl Park will remain closed to the public until environmental clean-up…: Broughshane Waterfowl Park will remain closed to the public until environmental clean-up operations are fully completed.
Wildlife staff cannot release non-native bird species back into the park until the waterw…: Wildlife staff cannot release non-native bird species back into the park until the waterway is completely decontaminated.
Police are actively seeking information from the public regarding the vandalism of the lo…: Police are actively seeking information from the public regarding the vandalism of the local home heating oil container.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
- Published
A major recovery effort is continuing after an oil spill caused by the vandalism of a nearby home heating oil tank resulted in the death of 13 birds from Broughshane Waterfowl Park.
More than 20 birds were transported to the USPCA's headquarters last week for urgent specialist care, but the death toll has continued to rise.
The popular attraction in County Antrim has been forced to close while efforts continue to remove oil from the pond.
Police have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
Broughshane Environment Wildfowl and Wildlife Trust's chairman, Gary Hayward, said they incident had been a "nightmare".
"We are devastated," he told BBC News NI.
"One of our volunteers appeared on the Thursday morning to feed [the birds], and walked down through the park and smelt this kerosene smell and saw the black swans completely oiled."
The park is home to 120 "collection birds", as well as wild birds, he explained.
"So far we have lost 13 birds, some of which are really close to us."
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