Story at a glance
- A corroded pipeline operated by Collins Pipeline Co. ruptured a few hundred feet from the Mississippi near New Orleans.
- More than 2,500 fish were killed, as well as 32 birds, 39 snakes, 18 turtles and several other animals.
- Meanwhile, officials collected close to 130 animals for cleaning and rehabilitation, including 75 alligators, 24 birds, 21 snakes and 12 turtles.
A diesel fuel spill that sent hundreds of thousands of gallons of fuel into two artificial ponds just outside of New Orleans late last month has killed thousands of fish and other wildlife, according to local officials.
A corroded pipeline operated by Collins Pipeline Co. ruptured a few hundred feet from the Mississippi near New Orleans. The spill was first discovered on Dec. 27 near a levee in St. Bernard Parish, just east of New Orleans.
The failed pipeline caused more than 300,000 gallons of diesel fuel to spill into the coastal wetland, contaminating soil and killing wildlife in the area.
According to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, more than 2,500 fish were killed, as well as 32 birds, 39 snakes, 18 turtles and several other animals.
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Meanwhile, officials collected close to 130 animals for cleaning and rehabilitation, including 75 alligators, 24 birds, 21 snakes and 12 turtles.
Officials told Changing America in an email 28 animals have been rehabilitated and released into the wild, including 13 alligators, seven red eared sliders and six snakes, and more are expected to be released in the coming days.
According to Nola.com, about 50,000 gallons of diesel has been recovered and cleanup efforts are ongoing.
In October 2020, an inspection of the 42-year-old pipeline found external corrosion along a 22-foot section of the line in the same area where the spill occurred. The Associated Press reports repairs were delayed and the pipeline continued to be used following another inspection that determined the corrosion wasn’t severe enough to be fixed immediately.
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