Oil Spill in Boston River Threatens Wildlife

An oil spill in a Boston river on Sunday has threatened nearby wildlife as rescue efforts to save dozens of geese and ducks coated in hazardous petroleum continued on Monday.

What Happened?

The oil spill, first reported on Sunday at the Muddy River on the border of Boston and the town of Brookline, has mobilized police, firefighters and environmental agencies to contain the damage and care for affected wildlife.

According to police, responders found there was some kind of leak into the waterway that impacted wildlife.

The leak, traced to a storm drain under a nearby condominium complex, released less than 100 gallons of oil into the river, according to Danielle Burney, spokesperson for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

While officials are investigating the exact source of the spill, it is being contained and managed, Burney added.

Rescue Efforts

Efforts to rescue the birds, predominantly Canada geese and mallards, are being spearheaded by the New England Wildlife Center.

“The New England Wildlife Center is on-site to collect affected waterfowl for treatment and rehabilitation at their facility. They will continue to monitor the area to ensure the safety and well-being of the local wildlife,” Burney said to The Associated Press.

According to Katrina Bergman, the New England Wildlife Center’s president, it could take up to a month for the birds to be treated and released back into the wild, adding that so far, 20 birds have been rescued, but dozens more are expected to require treatment.

The Muddy River, a well-known spot for walkers and joggers near Fenway Park, has become an emergency response zone as rescue teams are carefully collecting affected birds, ensuring minimal stress to prevent further harm.

“We don’t want to cause them to do any extra activity, especially if they have oil in the mouth and nose, that could do more damage,” Zak Mertz, the center’s CEO, told The Associated Press.

While the community has expressed concern and a desire to assist, authorities emphasized the importance of trained personnel handling the situation.

In addition, Brookline police issued a statement urging residents to let experts with the proper equipment manage the crisis.

“We know that members of the community are concerned for the well being of the impacted wildlife and were interested in what they could do to help. On scene for something like this it’s important that we only use people with proper PPE and training,” Brookline police said in a statement.

Meanwhile, as rescuers remain focused on nursing the Muddy River’s wildlife back to health, officials are continuing their investigation into the cause of the spill.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.