– There are two coots in the area. Both have clear oil spills in their plumage, says ornithologist Bjørn Frostad. On the night of Tuesday, around 20,000 liters of soybean oil leaked into Glomma from the factory Denofa on Øra in Fredrikstad. The oil spill is near a bird sanctuary. The soya oil is said to have leaked out from a manual valve that was left open. According to factory director Torgeir Hjertaker, the valve should have been closed. On Tuesday afternoon, ornithologist Bjørn Frostad made the trip out to the bird reserve where the soy oil has leaked. Damaged coot on Øra in Fredrikstad after the spill of soya oil. Photo: Even Bjøringsøy Johnsen / news At least five birds were found with soy oil on them. Two coots, a coot and a couple of mallards. Can be chilled – Anything oily will cause the feathers to stick together and this will cause the water to seep into the skin and the bird will be chilled. It will eventually die of hypothermia unless it gets help, says Frostad. There are between 20 and 25 species associated with water in the area. – We have hundreds of seagulls, and maybe 40 to 50 swans here. We have perhaps a couple of hundred ducks of different species, says Frostad. – If you are really unlucky, this can affect several hundred birds, says Frostad. Ornithologist Bjørn Frostad found several birds injured as a result of the oil spill in Glomma in Fredrikstad on Tuesday afternoon. Photo: Even Bjøringsøy Johnsen / news Difficult to help oil-damaged bird The police are working to get a better overview of where the oil may have spread. During the night, guide and blocking bilges were laid out and work is now being done to suck up oil from the bilges. Biologist Jan Ingar Båtvik has worked in the area for a number of years. He calls the discharge last night a disaster. Now he is very worried about the birds, which may be in great danger in Fredrikstad. It is demanding to help the birds that come into contact with the oil, explains the biologist. They must be caught and washed clean of oil. Crews are working to collect the cooking oil in Glomma. Photo: Even Bjøringsøy Johnsen / news – Heavy resources must be used to wash oil-damaged birds. We are not particularly good at taking care of our own nature. We don’t even have reception stations for injured game in Norway. It is based on volunteering here, says Båtvik. The spill is being investigated by the police. Interviews and any technical investigations will be carried out. It is not the first time that birds have been badly injured by an oil spill in Glomma. In 2012, around 2,000 birds died from oil damage after the Godafoss accident. The weather can have a positive effect The spill is now drifting south in Glomma at a speed of 1–2 knots, the police say. The meteorologists warn of strong gusts of wind in the area of Fredrikstad and Hvaler over the next 24 hours. It can have a slowing down effect on the oil in the water. – The wind is expected from the south and the Glomma flows from the north, so it could have a slowing effect, says state meteorologist Unni Nilsson. Around 20,000 liters of soybean oil ended up in Glomma after the factory Denofa had a leak on the night of Tuesday. Photo: Even Bjøringsøy Johnsen / news The Norwegian Environment Agency asks people to leave oil-damaged birds alone if they come across any in the next few days. – Do not wash the birds that are injured. It is a clear message. If you wash the bird, you remove the fat on the plumage. Then the bird loses the layer of fat that is supposed to protect it and keep it warm. They will not survive, says Harald Sørby. Mapping the extent The Norwegian Coastal Administration has been in Fredrikstad with personnel and equipment in connection with the oil spill from the factory Denofa. They have the authority to issue orders for environmental investigations following such an incident. – When the action ends, we will make an assessment as to whether it is necessary here, writes emergency director of the Coastal Administration Hans Petter Mortensholm in an e-mail.
ttn-69
Several birds found injured – news Oslo og Viken – Local news, TV and radio
