Wildlife officials have begun trying to solve a deadly mystery at the Tsawwassen First Nation.
Environment and Climate Change Canada officers retrieved 31 dead ducks discovered floating in a man-made pond on the shore facing the Tsatsu Shores condominium complex Tuesday afternoon. Concerned residents of the complex, literally a few metres from the pond, called to report the disturbing sight in what appears to be mass death due to some kind of poisoning or contamination.
Tsatsu Shores resident Jim Northey in front of the pond where dozens of waterfowl were discovered dead. Photograph by Sandor Gyarmati
An officer told a resident after the animals had been retrieved and bagged that water samples would be taken and necropsies performed, but it could be difficult to ascertain the cause unless there’s something obvious still in the water. He asked her to call if there’s any more dead waterfowl seen. The TFN lands department is also aware of the situation, while the City of Delta would be also notified by concerned residents.
The resident told the Optimist a dead swan was also floating in the reed.
Jim Northey points toward the runoff pipe from the neighbouring subdivision above. Photo by Sandor Gyarmati
Another resident at the scene, Jim Northey, said he’s pretty sure something poured into the pond from a runoff pipe which goes down the steep hill from the adjacent Stahaken subdivision above. Someone appears to have poured some kind of chemical waste into the storm sewer that runs into the pond, he said, adding residents are obviously concerned what’s ending up in there because they are in such close proximity.
He added the pipe had originally discharged straight into the ocean before the TFN several years ago built the pond, and he wants it removed.
