 The Environmental Agency believes the oil was dumped on purpose |
Environment officials are asking the public to help them catch the people responsible for polluting a stretch of river in Leicester. The Environment Agency is still cleaning up the River Soar after 500 gallons of oil were dumped into the water near the Grand Union Canal several days ago.
Hundreds of birds were coated with oil after the incident on 17 May.
Steve Profitt of the Environment Agency, said: "This is the third spill in this area in the past three months.
"We think someone may have dumped the oil from a tanker or some barrels in the area around Walkers Stadium."
Threat to eggs
He said the clean-up operation is going extremely well, and thousands of gallons of oily water has already been removed.
The work will probably last for another few days, he said.
Pete Flavell, a riverside ranger, said: "A lot of swans have become coated with oil and that affects their insulation - and they can die of cold.
"Young birds are especially vulnerable."
Volunteers at the Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital have rescued and cleaned up dozens of birds at their rescue centre.
The birds' eggs are also under threat as the oil can cause death or deformity to the young chicks, he said.
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