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| Friday, July 25, 2008 |  |
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Kevin Crush A third duck rescued from a Syncrude tailings pond has died. That leaves just two surviving ducks of the roughly 500 that died earlier this week when they landed in the toxic pond north of Fort McMurray. And one of the two remaining survivors is in poor condition and may not have long to live. “The one does (have a chance). The other one, we’re not holding out much hope for, unfortunately,” said Kim Blomme, founder of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Edmonton. Five ducks were initially recovered from the pond. Three later died, including one on Wednesday night, said Blomme. Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who was in Edmonton today for the official opening of the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, said the tragedy hurts Canada’s environmental image. He added that federal officials are investigating. Greenpeace activist Mike Hudema welcomed the investigation of the companies involved, but said the government also needs to look at its own environmental policies, such as the lack of monitoring at oilsands sites. “This (the duck deaths) is just the tip of the tar sands iceberg and just one of a whole host of problems associated with this development.” Imperial Oil, which has a 25% stake in Syncrude, says a warning system meant to keep the birds away wasn’t operating at the time. Meanwhile, Chief Vern Janvier of the Chipewyan Prairie First Nation said his people were “upset and alarmed” at the government’s negligence in protecting the environment. He claims it’s not the first time – community members and elders have previously witnessed the deaths of birds and other species at oilsands tailings ponds. Janvier is calling for a federal inquiry on how to protect migratory birds, fish stocks and species at risk. Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach downplayed the deaths, saying that wind turbines kill 30,000 birds annually. That number seems a little overblown, says the president of Calgary-based Alberta Wind Energy Corporation, which focuses on building wind turbines in southern Alberta. “Studies have indicated that (each of the province’s) turbines kill 1.3 birds annually. I don’t think there are 30,000 wind turbines in the world,” said Stewart Duncan. – With Files from The Canadian Press SHOULD THERE BE NO RULES FOR THE GREEDY OIL COMPANIES? Speak up and let us know your thoughts on the Fort McMurray duck deaths blog Click Here to read Tim Trow's letter to RCMP Commissioner William Elliot Click Here to Read the Article at edmontonsun.com
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