Canada geese affected by diesel spill in Troy, Michigan.  USFWS photo by Lisa Williams.

Partners prepare to releaes rehabilitated Canada geese.  USFWS photo by Lisa Williams.

Canada geese are released and head to the water following treatment for exposure to a diesel fuel spill.  USFWS photo by Lisa Williams.

Canada geese were cleaned and released after encountering a diesel fuel spill in Troy, Michigan.  USFWS photo by Lisa Williams.

On December 30, 2008, 24 Canada geese were released after being successfully treated and cleaned following a December 16 spill of diesel fuel from the fuel tank of a semi-truck in Troy, Michigan. Two days earlier, a total of 20 geese and mallards had also been released. Two geese and one mallard were not able to be released at this time and will be cared for by the Howell Nature Center until they re-grow feathers. In addition, two geese died during the course of the spill and approximately 100 additional geese and 30 mallards were oiled, but not severely enough to warrant capture and cleaning. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service led the multi-agency wildlife spill response for this spill under an agreement with U.S. EPA. Coordination and cooperation during the wildlife response was excellent and included Oakland County, the City of Troy, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, USDA APHIS, Marine Pollution Control (contractor), Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research (contractor), Michigan Humane Society, Howell Nature Center, Lawson Trucking Company and their insurer. A utility company donated space in a spare warehouse where MPC and Tri-State constructed a temporary rehabilitation facility and trained 55 volunteers to assist in the cleaning and care of the 48 birds. Because the diesel fuel was no longer detectable by the time the birds were ready to be released, they were released where they were captured