On Saturday, July 4th, Le Nichoir admitted 10 ducks affected by a silicone spill in a nearby body of water, caused by an act of vandalism. The ducks needed immediate care — they were covered from head to toe in silicone, which coated their feathers down to the skin, leaving them unable to swim properly or maintain their waterproofing, putting their health and survival at risk.
Our team of staff and volunteers sprang into action, immediately stabilizing each duck. Every bird received a thorough physical examination, fluid therapy to address dehydration, and supportive care before beginning the lengthy cleaning process.
With more than 400 other avian patients currently in our care, accommodating these additional emergency patients required careful planning and teamwork. Thanks to the flexibility and dedication of our staff and volunteers, we were able to provide the specialized care the ducks needed.
Cleaning the ducks proved to be a complex and delicate task. Unlike oil, silicone clings tightly to feathers and is extremely difficult to remove. To safely remove the silicone while minimizing stress, every bird was washed once a day for three consecutive days, with each washing lasting approximately 45 minutes. Behind every clean duck is a team of dedicated people working patiently and carefully. In total, more than 67 hours of staff and volunteer time were devoted to washing and caring for these birds.
The company whose property was affected has been extremely supportive throughout the response, and Le Nichoir continues to work collaboratively with everyone involved in the cleanup efforts to ensure the best possible outcome for the birds impacted by the spill.
While we hope incidents like this are rare, they remind us how important it is to be prepared to respond quickly when emergencies arise. Specialized equipment and appropriate housing allow us to provide the care aquatic birds require. It also reinforces the importance of our planned aquatic bird aviary, which will provide recovering waterbirds with a safe environment to rebuild the waterproofing of their feathers and regain the strength they need before returning to the wild.
The ducks are recovering well and will remain at Le Nichoir for the next several weeks while our team monitors their health and waterproofing. With care, we look forward to releasing them back into their natural habitat. As this incident is still unfolding, our team remains on standby to provide care for any additional silicone-covered ducks that may be found.
