Wildlife in crisis as geese and ducks suffer from oil spill in Boston river

In the United States, wildlife rescuers were mobilized to address an emergency involving multiple birds affected by an oil spill in a Boston river, the Muddy River. The incident was reported on Sunday around noon, prompting immediate response from both police and fire departments. Upon investigation, responders discovered an oil leak impacting the local wildlife, primarily Canada geese and mallards, which are commonly found along the river's banks. By Monday afternoon, twenty birds had been located and were being cared for as part of a larger effort to address the spill's consequences. The exact details of the oil spill, including its source and precise location, remained under investigation by local police and state environmental officials at that time. The New England Wildlife Center, led by President Katrina Bergman, played a critical role in the rescue efforts. Additional wildlife rescuers and environmental officials worked diligently to manage the situation, noting that many more birds were likely to require assistance. Wildlife officials stressed the importance of keeping the birds calm and minimizing human interaction to avoid causing them additional distress, particularly those that had ingested oil. Responders would need to provide treatment to the affected birds over the course of several weeks, with the aim of eventually rehabilitating and releasing them back into their natural habitat. Muddy River is known for its popularity among walkers and joggers, and the spill raised concerns not only for the wildlife but also for the local community about potential ecological impacts. Following the spill, police reiterated the necessity of ensuring that only trained personnel with proper protective equipment were involved to safeguard against further contamination and to ensure the safety of those assisting with the rescue. As the situation developed, community members expressed a desire to help but were reminded that only qualified individuals should engage in the cleanup and care of the affected wildlife. Officials remained hopeful that with proper care, many of the injured birds could be treated effectively, though the recovery process might last up to a month. This unfortunate incident sheds light on the vulnerabilities facing local wildlife and the critical work undertaken by wildlife agencies and community responders in times of environmental crises.