| Oilsands 'Ponds' Cause Death of 500 Ducks | 07 May 08 |
 The recent tragic deaths of 500 ducks on April 28th in Syncrude's oilsands wastewater 'pond' represent only a fraction of the yearly death toll due to impacts of the oil industry, according to scientists.Experts warn yearly bird death numbers are under-reported and will increase as heavy oil plants continue to be built. "The problem is far more widespread and way more than the 500 birds have perished (this week). Nobody wants to see wildlife wastefully dying that way. We have to come up with a better way to manage and mitigate these hazards ." said Maurice Nadeau, President of the Alberta Fish and Game Association. The flock of 500 mallards landed on a Syncrude Canada Ltd. tailings pond north of Fort McMurray. The ponds hold poisonous wastewater from oilsands production and are situated along a major flyway for migrating waterfowl. Local bird and animal populations are accustom to the sound of cannons used to deter birds landing, and scientists with Boreal Song Bird Initiative said there is a long history of bird deaths in these ponds. Pembina Institute say current tailings ponds for oilsands giants Syncrude, Suncor Energy and Albian Sands Energy Inc. cover 50 square kilometers, a size expected to quadruple if the projects proposed for the province go ahead. View May 2, 2008 Syncrude Canada press release View May 2, 2008 The Star article View May 5, 2008 Canada.com article View April 30, 2008 National Post article View May 3, 2008 Globe and Mail article View May 2, 2008 Globe and Mail article Visit Boreal Songbird Initiative website Sources: Syncrude Canada Ltd., The Star, Canada.com, National Post, Globe and Mail |
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