According to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, preliminary investigations indicate that the oil that spilled from Leverett Pond in Brookline into Boston’s Muddy River originated from a storm drain.
There was a spill of approximately one hundred gallons of home heating oil, as reported by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), and numerous organizations retrieved birds from the stream in order to protect them.
It was on Sunday night that the oil was found, and the job of cleaning it up immediately began. Wildlife experts from the New England Wildlife Center in Weymouth quickly arrived at the scene in order to save the birds.
“The oil can cause a variety of clinical signs. It wets their feathers down and interrupts their natural waterproofing. So, they can become cold and hypothermic really quickly,” Dr. Priya Patel, a wildlife veterinarian for the center stated.
The oil had covered forty animals
For the purpose of receiving medical attention, eleven Canadian geese and one mallard duck were initially brought into the facility. A total of approximately forty animals were saved as a result of the ongoing efforts on Monday.
Booms were also thrown into the river by firefighters from Boston in an effort to limit the oil flow.
According to Patel, each of the animals will have a lengthy rehabilitation process and may be held in captivity for a period of one month. It is necessary to first stabilize them with food and water before proceeding with the thorough cleaning of them.
“We’re giving anti-inflammatory pain meds to reduce any inflammation to the skin caused by the oil as well as a gastro protectant which will line the stomach to protect against any potential ulcerations,” Patel stated, “To do a full wash is very intensive. It can take up to an hour per bird, depending on how contaminated they are. And, to be able to make it through that lengthy wash, the bird has to be stable.”
It is especially dangerous for birds and people alike to be exposed to home heating oil because of its caustic nature. In accordance with the recommendations of wildlife officials, members of the general public should refrain from attempting to remove animals from the river and instead leave the task to the professionals.
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“It does caution irritation to the skin, which again is why we’re cautioning people not to catch these animals themselves just because they can get burned,” Patel stated.
