Syncrude faces federal charges over 2015 heron deaths
FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. — One of the country’s largest oilsands companies is facing federal charges in the death of 31 great blue herons at one of its mine sites in northern Alberta more than two years ago.
The charges against Syncrude Canada under the Migratory Birds Convention Act are in addition to provincial charges already laid.
In August 2015, Syncrude revealed that 29 carcasses from the large shorebirds were discovered near a pump house at an abandoned sump pond at Mildred Lake north of Fort McMurray.
Additional birds were euthanized on the order of Alberta Fish and Wildlife.