The Boreal Songbird Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting Canada's boreal forest, reports that an estimated 500 migrating waterfowl recently died in a toxic tailings pond in Canada's Tar Sands in the heart of Canada's boreal forest. The tailings ponds store toxic by-products from the chemical extraction of petroleum from tar sands, and migrating waterfowl sometimes accidentally land in the ponds, especially at night or during inclement weather. The accidental waterfowl deaths occurred at a facility run by Syncrude in Alberta. The Boreal Songbird Initiative and others are concerned that planned expansions to tar sand operations in the boreal forest will not only destroy pristine forestlands but present additional toxic hazards to wildlife. You can learn more about the bird and wildlife issues related to the Alberta tar sands at the Boreal Songbirds website .You can also read an article about the incidient in the "Edmonton Journal".