Boston, Massachusetts — Dozens of geese and ducks are fighting for their lives after being soaked in oil from a spill in the Muddy River on Sunday. Wildlife rescuers are rushing to clean and care for the birds affected by the environmental disaster. Emergency services were alerted shortly after noon when locals reported a possible oil leak in the river, which flows along the border of Boston and Brookline. Responders discovered that oil had leaked into the waterway, impacting numerous ducks and geese. “Seeing these animals suffering is heartbreaking,” said Katrina Bergman, president of the New England Wildlife Center. “We’re doing everything we can to help them recover.” By Monday afternoon, twenty birds had been rescued, but dozens more are expected to need treatment. Rescuers estimate it could take up to a month for the birds, mostly Canada geese and mallards, to be cleaned, rehabilitated, and released back into the wild. Preliminary investigations suggest that the oil is leaking from a storm drain beneath a nearby condominium complex. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection estimates that less than 379 liters of oil were released. Officials are working to contain the spill and determine its exact source. The Muddy River is a beloved spot for locals, popular among walkers and joggers, and home to diverse wildlife. The spill occurred near the Longwood train station, not far from the famous Fenway Park. “Our teams are on-site to manage the situation,” said Danielle Burney, spokesperson for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. “We’re committed to protecting our environment and the wildlife that depends on it.”
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Rescuers rush to save birds soaked in oil due to spill in Boston river
cgtn.com
