While the eyes of the world are turned on the massive BP oil spill in the Gulf Coast, another oil spill has threatened wildlife in the United States - in landlocked Utah. According to KSL.com, an underground Chevron pipeline burst June 11 and spilled approximately 21,000 gallons of crude oil into an urban river, where it flowed into a popular city park. Chevron has accepted full responsibility for the incident and is covering all financial costs associated with the cleanup.Backyards of residents along Red Butte Creek have been tainted by the spill, and more than 200 Canada geese, mallards and different gulls have been tainted with oil, primarily in the Liberty Park area. Affected birds have been collected and are being cleaned and cared for at the Hogle Zoo. Several recent hatchlings, including ducklings and goslings, have died from the toxicity. Fish in the affected waterways are also in danger, but it appears the spill has been contained and will not reach the Great Salt Lake, Farmington Bay or other sensitive wildlife areas.
Even though this spill does not come close to the magnitude of the Gulf disaster, even a small amount of oil can have disastrous effects on birds and other wildlife.
Oil Spill Cleanup in Liberty Park
Photo © Melissa Mayntz
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