It was a chilly January afternoon, but that didn’t stop a flock of geese and ducks from splashing into the Muddy River in Brookline. It was their first day back home after the river was contaminated by an oil spill.
“I think they’re just happy to be back,” said Dr. Priya Patel, wildlife medical director at New England Wildlife Center. She stood by the river alongside the birds that were flying, preening and honking.
A group of 37 ducks and geese noisily waddled out of crates and into the river on Friday after spending about a month rehabbing from the oil spill.
Upwards of 50 gallons of heating oil contaminated their habitat, according to local Environmental Protection Agency officials. Oil breaks down birds’ natural waterproofing and causes water to saturate their feathers. This impacts their ability to regulate their temperature and to fly.
Staff from the New England Wildlife Center spent five days at the park to capture the affected animals and bring them in for treatment. Seven birds died, and one is still being treated but is expected to fully recover.
“As humans we do so much harm, so much harm, but we also do a heck of a lot of good,” said Katrina Bergman, president of New England Wildlife Center.
The washing process took about an hour per bird, according to Patel, who said they “really use Dawn dish soap!” The birds also received medicine and were fed at least seven times per day, including overnight feedings.
Patel said the birds were cleared to return once they demonstrated proper waterproofing, flying, honking and signs of alertness. She described their return to the river as “amazing.”
“It’s what makes everything worthwhile,” Patel said. “It was a very long month for all of our staff; many of us didn’t take a day off until the last goose was washed.”
It was a chilly January afternoon, but that didn’t stop a flock of geese and ducks from splashing into the Muddy River in Brookline. It was their first day back home after the river was contaminated by an oil spill.
“I think they’re just happy to be back,” said Dr. Priya Patel, wildlife medical director at New England Wildlife Center. She stood by the river alongside the birds that were flying, preening and honking.
A group of 37 ducks and geese noisily waddled out of crates and into the river on Friday after spending about a month rehabbing from the oil spill.
Upwards of 50 gallons of heating oil contaminated their habitat, according to local Environmental Protection Agency officials. Oil breaks down birds’ natural waterproofing and causes water to saturate their feathers. This impacts their ability to regulate their temperature and to fly.
Staff from the New England Wildlife Center spent five days at the park to capture the affected animals and bring them in for treatment. Seven birds died, and one is still being treated but is expected to fully recover.
“As humans we do so much harm, so much harm, but we also do a heck of a lot of good,” said Katrina Bergman, president of New England Wildlife Center.
The washing process took about an hour per bird, according to Patel, who said they “really use Dawn dish soap!” The birds also received medicine and were fed at least seven times per day, including overnight feedings.
Patel said the birds were cleared to return once they demonstrated proper waterproofing, flying, honking and signs of alertness. She described their return to the river as “amazing.”
“It’s what makes everything worthwhile,” Patel said. “It was a very long month for all of our staff; many of us didn’t take a day off until the last goose was washed.”
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This story was originally published by WGBH Radio. It was shared as part of the New England News Collaborative.
