More ducks killed in oil sands tailing ponds

At least 230 birds had to be euthanized after landing in Syncrude’s Mildred Lake tailings pond on Monday.

The incident occurred just three days after Syncrude was fined $3 million for allowing 1,600 ducks to die in its tailing ponds in 2008. The fine signaled that the government is serious about cracking down on duck deaths, which are potentially damaging to the Alberta oil sands’ image. Campaigns in the U.S. portray the industry as an environmental disaster, and have hampered attempts to broker a lucrative deal to build a huge pipeline from Alberta to Texas. Companies are required to have duck deterrent systems in place but it’s believed inclement weather forced the migrating birds to seek shelter on the toxic pond. Other companies have deployed employees with air horns to scare off ducks until the weather improves.