Resident birds have returned to Broughshane Waterfowl Park in County Antrim after an oil spill caused by vandalism killed 13 birds and forced the popular attraction to close.
The park, which was home to 120 birds, has since reopened, though work is still underway to address the oil contamination and a number of pens remain out of bounds.
The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) was first alerted to the incident on Thursday 22 October and has been involved in removing the oil waste.
More than 20 birds were transported to the USPCA's headquarters in Newry for urgent specialist care following the incident. Siobhan Hawthorn, wildlife supervisor at the USPCA, has been a key part of the rescue operation.
The park's management thanked the USPCA for looking after the birds, saying: "We are truly grateful for everything you have done." It also paid tribute to the support received from the public, adding: "It's another positive step forward for our park, and we couldn't have got here without you."
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The incident highlights the vulnerability of local wildlife attractions to vandalism and the impact on animal welfare.
- The response demonstrates the role of specialist animal welfare organisations like the USPCA in emergency rescues.
- The park's reopening is a positive step for the community and local tourism in County Antrim.
Background
Broughshane Waterfowl Park is a popular attraction in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, known for its variety of waterfowl. The pond has been in existence for 13 years. The park was forced to close after a nearby home heating oil tank was vandalised, causing an oil spill into the pond on 22 October 2026. Thirteen birds died as a result.
Key Perspectives
Park management: Expressed gratitude to the USPCA for looking after the birds and to the public for support, calling the return of birds "another positive step forward".
USPCA: Provided urgent specialist care to more than 20 birds, with wildlife supervisor Siobhan Hawthorn leading the rescue operation.
What to Watch
- Completion of the cleanup and when all pens are fully reopened.
- Whether any suspects are identified and charged in connection with the vandalism.
- Long-term health monitoring of the treated birds after their return to the park.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedResident birds returned to Broughshane Waterfowl Park after an oil spill caused by vandalism.BBC News: “Resident birds have returned to Broughshane Waterfowl Park after an oil spill which caused the death of 13 of the flock.”
- SupportedThe oil spill killed 13 birds.BBC News: “Resident birds have returned to Broughshane Waterfowl Park after an oil spill which caused the death of 13 of the flock.”
- SupportedA nearby home heating oil tank was vandalised, causing oil to spill into the pond and forcing the attraction to close.BBC News: “The popular attraction in County Antrim was forced to close after a nearby home heating oil tank was vandalised , causing the oil spill into the pond.”
- SupportedMore than 20 birds were treated after the incident.BBC News: “More than 20 birds were treated by a vet and transported to the USCPA in Newry”
- SupportedThe park had 120 birds and has since reopened.BBC News: “The park, which was home to 120 birds, has since reopened.”
- SupportedWork to address the oil contamination is ongoing, and a number of pens remain out of bounds.BBC News: “In a post on social media, the attraction confirmed that work is still underway to address the oil contamination and that a number of pens remain out of bounds.”
- SupportedThe NIEA was first alerted on Thursday 22 October and has been involved in removing the oil waste.BBC News: “The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) was first alerted to the incident on Thursday 22 October and have been involved in removing the oil waste.”
- SupportedMore than 20 birds were transported to the USPCA's headquarters for urgent specialist care.BBC News: “More than 20 birds were transported to the USPCA's headquarters for urgent specialist care following the incident.”
- SupportedThe birds were transported to the USPCA in Newry.BBC News: “More than 20 birds were treated by a vet and transported to the USCPA in Newry”
- SupportedSiobhan Hawthorn, a USPCA wildlife supervisor, was a key part of the rescue operation.BBC News: “Siobhan Hawthorn, wildlife supervisor at the USPCA, has been a key part of the rescue operation.”
- SupportedThe park's management said, “We are truly grateful for everything you have done,” thanking the USPCA for looking after the birds.BBC News: “The park's management paid thanks to the USPCA for looking after the birds. "We are truly grateful for everything you have done."”
- SupportedThe park's management said, “It's another positive step forward for our park, and we couldn't have got here without you,” referring to support from the public.BBC News: “It also paid tribute to the support received from the public. "It's another positive step forward for our park, and we couldn't have got here without you."”
