An oil spill last Thursday has started taking a toll on wildlife near the Husky Energy pipeline break site in Saskatchewan.
Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation and Lend a Paw Animal Rescue came together to set up a triage station in Maidstone, Sask. to clean oil-soaked animals.
READ MORE: Saskatchewan city gets backup water supply ready as oil spill approaches
As of Sunday morning, rehabilitators had received a sparrow, a Canada goose and a great blue heron.
Unfortunately, not all of the birds survived. The sparrow, sadly, did not make it.
The animals were brought in by crews cleaning the spill site. The pipeline break resulted in an estimated 250,000 litres of oil leaching into the North Saskatchewan River.
READ MORE: Prince Albert builds water pipeline while oil flows down North Saskatchewan River
Jan Shadick, executive director of Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation, said they aren’t sure how many more animals to expect, but assumed more will be on the way based on the heavy oil coating on the recovered animals.
RAW VIDEO: Downstream from the Maidstone oil spill site
Organizers are asking the public for supplies such as old sheets, towels, paper towels, disposable gloves, Q-tips, Seventh Generation dish soap, puppy pee pads, wash cloths and soft toothbrushes. Anyone who wants to help can call 306-481-6797 to make arrangements to drop off supplies.
Donations are also welcome at the Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation website.
Jacqueline Wilson contributed to this story
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