Prince Rupert Eagle deaths at landfill site gain notice across British Columbia

An investigation continues at the Ridley Island Road landfill,
that after the death of nineteen eagles recently 

The disclosure on Friday from the City of Prince Rupert that noted of the death of nineteen eagles at the City's landfill site on Ridley Island Access Road, is making for news far beyond the Port Ed turnoff.

As we noted on Friday the City of Prince Rupert issued a statement related to the deaths, advising residents that the harm to the eagles was caused due to a 'deleterious' substance that had been brought into the landfill site.

The City's advisory came hours after the Northern View had reported on the incident, confirming of the deaths and had received an emailed response from the city's Communications Manager Veronika Stewart.

A more fulsome response from the City would follow later in the day, though the City's update did not specify how much time had elapsed between the incident and the city's public advisory of it.

From that statement, the word quickly was relayed across the province with a number of news organizations picking up on the story of the deaths of the iconic North Coast species.

Global BC included an interview with Mayor Herb Pond as part of their coverage, Mr. Pond expanding on the incident and the impact that it has had on the community, as well as the nature of the city's investigation into it.

"We'll find out was in intentional, was it purely accidental, we need to find out what the cause was ... before we start you know looking for who to punish "  -- Mayor Herb Pond to Global BC on Friday

The disclosure of the incident has been a topic of note around town over the weekend, and once the investigation is complete, residents likely would like to see the report posted to the City's website so the full story can be shared as to how the eagle deaths came to pass.

Some of the other province wide coverage can be reviewed here.

March 3 -- City of Prince Rupert says 19 eagles dead at landfill due to 'deleterious' substance
March 3 -- Chemical spill kills 19 eagles in Prince Rupert landfill: city

March 2 -- 19 eagles dead after 'deleterious substance' dumped at northern BC landfill 

March 1 -- Death of 19 bald eagles in Prince Rupert being investigated 

The story has since go on to wider distribution across Canada.

More notes on Council discussion themes is available from our archive page