Heating oil leaked into the Muddy River over the weekend, endangering wildlife on the Boston and Brookline sides of the waterway, officials said.
Officers and firefighters responding to a report of a possible oil leak in the Muddy River in the area of the Longwood MBTA station around 12 p.m. Sunday discovered “some sort of leak” and called in the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and Clean Harbors to evaluate the situation, according to the Brookline Police Department.
The New England Wildlife Center said crews were able to rescue the “most significantly impacted” waterfowl, including Canadian geese and ducks after an “unknown quantity of what’s suspected to be heating oil” was released into the river.
NEWC teams were giving emergency care to the birds by clearing their airways, flushing oil from their eyes and mouths, and providing heat support.
The public is urged to stay away from the scene of the spill until further notice.
“In the interim, we are asking folks not to approach or attempt to capture any wildlife in this area,” the NEWC said in a statement. “They are very stressed and contact with the oil may be harmful to humans and pets. Many of the remaining birds are still able to fly so we don’t want to cause them additional harm or cause them to leave the area.”
An investigation into the cause of the spill and emergency response remains ongoing.
Police said an update on the spill was expected to be released on Monday.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW