A 27,500 gallon diesel fuel spill from a ruptured pipeline, first reported on March 18, 2013, could have been really bad news for Willard Bay State Park in the US. But a beaver dam prevented the fuel from traveling very far, protecting much of Willard Bay and the nearby Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.
In the next few weeks the Refuge will fill with tundra swans, snow geese and pelicans on their northward migration, but as of 26 March no oiled birds have been reported. However, clean up crews rescued three oiled beavers near the dam in the spill-affected area. Three more beavers were rescued several days later. The second group of beavers, having been exposed to the diesel for longer suffered from burns on their skin and eyes and were missing patches of fur.
Staff at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah, where the beavers are being treated, are optimistic for their recovery. The diesel spill is believed to have been caused by a split in a 60-year-old Chevron pipeline carrying fuel from Salt Lake City, Utah to Spokane, Washington. Approximately 21,00 gallons have been recovered.
Sources: FoxNews Photos, Salt Lake Tribune, Salt Lake Tribune update