Tank vandals blamed for 'devastating' death toll

A devastating oil spillage at Broughshane Waterfowl Park has seen the loss of a number of its beloved birds, including two Trumpeter swans.

Over the last four days staff and volunteers at the park have been battling to save the lives of a range of waterfowl including swans, ducks and geese.

Chairman of the Broughshane Environment Wildfowl & Wildlife Trust, Gary Hayward, said they have already lost 10 per cent of the bird population at the popular park which is home to around 120 birds.

He said: “It is devastating. We discovered there had been an oil spillage due to vandalism caused to an oil tank which then seeped into the pond.

“It started on Thursday and we have temporarily closed the park in order to work to save the birds and clean up the pond.

“One of the volunteers who feeds the birds arrived and found a number of birds were very sick and covered in oil.

“The fact that is heating oil makes it even worse as they ingest it and if they do not receive treatment such as charcoal quickly they become very ill.”

Gary said there are 20 birds currently with the USPCA.

He said: “The USPCA have been very good. They have taken 20 birds and are washing and feeding them daily.

“Unfortunately we had word that our two trumpeter swans, which have been with us a long time passed away.

“It is now a waiting game to see if the rest of the birds survive and it can take between 4-5 weeks.

“The park will be closed temporarily due to the oil spillage and we are now working hard to try and mitigate the horrendous damage caused.”

Gary added: “I would appeal to people to think twice about tampering with or vandalising oil tanks because look at the devastation that this has caused to our wildfowl and their habitat. “Everyone at Broughshane Waterfowl Park have been hit very hard by this and we just want to get the awareness out there.

“Our volunteers work 27/7, seven days a week and the birds that have died are like pets. They are in tears and for them the experience of losing these birds is like losing a pet dog or a cat.”