Burrard
birds

take an
oil bath

A reported spill of an
estimated 200 gallons
of canola oil into
Burrard Inlet on Feb.
4 is believed to have
affected hundreds of
birds in Burrard Inlet,
Stanley park and
English Bay.

According to the B.C.
SPCA, spills of vegetable and
petroleum-based oily pose a
significant threat to seabirds
and ducks by destroying the

pelling capabilities of
thers,

When a bird comes in
contact with oil, the fine
weave structure of the feath-
er is disrupted and water
penetrates through into the
insulating layer of down,

The bird is then no longer
protected against cold water
and air temperatures and is
susceptible to hypothermia,
drowning and increased risk
of attack by predators.

The SPCA, Wildlife res-
cuc Association, Vancouver
Park Board and Environment
Canada fed a team of
Vancouver area wildlife care
organizations to collectively
respond to sightings of oiled
birds.

Approsimately 200 oiled
bird corpses and 150 live
oiled birds were recovered,
but the toral number of birds
affected is likely much
greater.

The number of oiled bird
sightings peaked Feb. 6 as
did the number of five |
captured for rehabilitation
and the recovery of corp

Last) Sunday, only

ation and 20) corpses

: SPCA's John van der
Hoeven is hopeful that the
WOrst 18 OVer,

The number of oiled
birds captured lor rehabilita-
tion exceeded the capacity of
the Wildlite Rescue
Association's permanent
shelter in Burnaby.

The majority of live birds
captured were good candi-
dates for rehabilitation.

. td that were

tO SUPVIV 2 SEFESS-
es oof the rehabilation
process were killed.

A large part of the suc-
cessful rehabilitation opera-
tions is due to the multi:
agency team effort and
mumerous volunteers who
putin many hours of hard
work.

nvironment € da has
facached a legal investigation
into the incident. Samples of
oll taken from bird corpses

Iyzed by Environ

meat Canada’s chemistry
laboratory and confirmed te
be canola oil.

If vou seca bird in dis
tress calf the SPOA ar 879
7343. Trained personne! will
be dispatched ts respemd

This will ensure that the
birds do nor sutter addition
abingury or expend: vahnabie

during capuary

rembers of the public
have preked up an onfed bird
advise the SPOA tmunediate
lv.

Do not attempt to wash
or rehabilitate birds at home.

PAS

Sunday, February 15, 1998 — North Shore News ~ 25

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