真事假拿大，死鸭子一变仨

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活鸭子不好数，死鸭子不会数。赞一个。


http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=1448519

EDMONTON -- Syncrude president Tom Katinas revealed Tuesday that more than three times as many ducks as previously thought perished on a tailings pond near Fort McMurray last April.


The actual dead bird count was 1,606, Mr. Katinas told a news conference. Original estimates had put the number of dead birds at 500.


"The drowning of the waterfowl last April shouldn't have happened and is unacceptable," Mr. Katinas said.


"There is tremendous resolve in our organization to learn from this experience and help ensure it does not happen again."


Although Mr. Katinas admitted the company was not prepared for the arrival of the migrating ducks last spring, he would not comment on why the company did not plead guilty to provincial and federal charges in its court appearance last week.


The case was put over to June 10 so the company has enough time to review the evidence submitted by the Crown. The oil sands giant was charged in February by both the provincial and federal governments for failing to take precautions to prevent the deaths of the ducks on the Aurora mine tailings pond north of Fort McMurray.


The maximum fine under the Alberta Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act is $500,000, while federal Migratory Birds Convention Act regulations allow for a fine of $300,000 and six months in jail.


Alberta Justice Minister Alison Redford said when the charges were laid that the province would seek an alternative penalty that may require Syncrude to perform technical or environmental work, if the company is convicted.


The ducks that landed on the tailings pond last April 28 became covered in oily residue floating on the surface and most sank to the bottom.


Five ducks were recovered and sent to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Edmonton. Three survived.

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