100+ Migrating Storks Poisoned By Wastewater Pools In Negev Desert

[hatrack]

JERUSALEM — "More than 100 migrating storks dropped dead in Israel's Negev desert on Monday after stopping for a drink at pools containing toxic runoff from a chemical plant, environmental experts said.

The birds, on their way from Europe to their winter quarters in Africa, arrived in southern Israel earlier than usual, catching nature officials and staff at the Rotem chemical works off guard, before they put up the nets and bird-scarers they usually deploy to keep the winged visitors out of danger.

"We found around 100 to 150 dead storks throughout the pools and dozens more which were unable to fly," Peter Rabin of the Israeli Parks and Nature Authority told Israel Radio. "They apparently landed to drink water there, and that was what harmed them. We are trying to save those that are still alive."

Ornithologists say about 700,000 storks make the trip from western Europe through Turkey and the Middle East to Africa every fall, retracing their route in the spring. Although the journey would be much shorter if they flew over the Mediterranean, the heavy birds lack the endurance for long, uninterrupted flight and use the warm updrafts rising off the Mideast landscape to glide their way back and forth."

EDIT

http://www.enn.com/news/2004-08-24/s_26661.asp

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. And now for the REAL reason we bombed Iraq

This was as much a water war as an oil war...had to control the Tigres and Euphrates...only the "good guys" will have water.

Thanks for all you do to keep this forum informative, Hatrack...I was just telling another DU'er the other day how much I have learned from your articles and posts.