CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Volunteers from the nonprofit Carolina Waterfowl Rescue spent Friday afternoon capturing geese that were victims of a suspected cooking oil spill or illegal dumping of the greasy liquid.
The rescue organization received an email about the possibility of sick geese at McAlpine Creek Park at 8711 Monroe Road in Charlotte, Carolina Waterfowl Rescue reported in a news release.
IMAGES: Cooking oil sickens geese at McAlpine Creek Park
Certified rehabilitation specialists visited the site and discovered at least 15 geese in and around the park with cooking oil in their feathers. On Saturday, two more geese were found.
Cooking oil or grease can be toxic to birds when ingested and will prevent them from being able to regulate their body temperature. which could prove fatal in cold temperatures.
"We're so thankful for the Good Samaritan who alerted us to this situation," Jennifer Gordon, executive director of the rescue, said. "These birds need urgent care and wouldn't likely have survived much longer without help."
All of the birds will be washed to remove the oil and will receive a full medical exam and treatment, if necessary.
CWR is seeking the public's help in reporting any additional birds in need of rescue in and near the park or off nearby Village Lake Drive, where the creek runs.
Oiled birds' feathers look darker, greasy and won't lay flat. Contact CWR at hotline@cwrescue.org.
Carolina Waterfowl Rescue volunteers will go out again Sunday at 1 p.m. to search for more geese and washing will start at the rescue at 6 p.m.
People interested in helping with either need to fill out a volunteer application online here.
The rescue also needs donations of original, blue Dawn liquid soap to help wash the birds. Soap can be dropped off at the rescue, 5403 Poplin Rd. in Indian Trail, seven days a week between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
To donate online to cover medical costs, visit here.
Checks, made payable to Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, can be mailed to the organization at P.O. Box 1484 Indian Trail, NC, 28079, with "McAlpine rescue" in the memo line.
All donations are tax deductible.
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