Broughshane: Birds return to waterfowl park after oil spill

Resident birds have returned to Broughshane Waterfowl Park after an oil spill which caused the death of 13 of the flock.

The popular attraction in County Antrim was forced to close after a nearby home heating oil tank was vandalised , causing the oil spill into the pond.

In a post on social media, The Waterfowl Pond confirmed that work is still underway to address the oil contamination and that a number of pens remain out of bounds.

More than 20 birds were transported to the USPCA's headquarters for urgent specialist care following the incident.

The park, which was home to 120 birds, has since reopened.

Broughshane Environment Wildfowl and Wildlife Trust's chairman, Gary Hayward, said about 10-12 birds have returned including two black swans and Nenes.

Hayward said they are back safely in their pens and they are lucky to be healthy.

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) was first alerted to the incident on Thursday 22 October and have been involved in removing the oil waste.

The agency said the substance involved had been identified as home heating oil or kerosene.

Police said about 44 gallons (200 litres) of oil had leaked from the tank which had been damaged at a business premise in the Main Street area of Broughshane.

Hayward said that there is very little evidence of the oil left as the NIEA have removed the majority of it.

"They have made problems a lot less than they could have been," he told BBC News NI.

He said there is still some oil around the edges, and once the oil leaves the pens the birds will be moved back into them.

The USPCA has also been a key part of the rescue operation.

They said that all of the birds, including geese, ducks and swans, needed bathed and treated due to the level of contamination they suffered.

Unfortunately some had already ingested too much and died as a result.

The Waterfowl Pond offered thanks to the USPCA for looking after the birds.

"We are truly grateful for everything you have done."

It also paid tribute to the support received from the public.

"It's another positive step forward for our park, and we couldn't have got here without you."

Police have said that enquiries into the incident are ongoing and have appealed to anyone with information to come forward.

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