3 swans die after being rescued from a Burlington creek

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Three swans have died after being rescued from a Burlington creek. They were harmed, after oil was dumped into the water. Officials say the act was deliberate – but they don’t know who’s behind it

City officials believe that the diesel fuel was dumped purposefully into one of the catch basins along Spruce Ave. It then would have seeped down right into Shoreacres creek and travelled right along into Lake Ontario.

“That type of action is not needed. Halton has a terrific hazardous waste program where when you have oil and diesel fuel you take it up there and dispose of it properly” says Scott Stewart from the City of Burlington.

Three mute swans were taken to a wildlife rehabilitation centre where they died from serious lung damage. Earlier in the week cleanup crews worked to soak up the fuel in the water. Heavy downpours yesterday washed away the lines holding the booms in place.

“A lot of birds, animals, and probably fish are suffering and there was no need. There is places for these things to be disposed of.” Beverly Kingdon has been tracking and rescuing swans for years. She says it’s clear in the pictures, that the swans feathers are clustered and covered in oil compared to what a mute swan should like. “In an effort to waterproof, they preen. And when they are preening they are mixing oil with water and they are swallowing this awful material.”

The city is continuing to investigate and Scott Stewart says he would like to see charges laid. Prosecutions can result in fines, court orders and probation or even jail time.

Anyone with information should call the City of Burlington at (905) 335-3030.