Squirrels found sick, dead after 'toxic substance' left in Richmond, B.C., park
A number of squirrels have been reported sick or dead this month after a "toxic substance" was left in a park in Richmond, B.C., according to police.
Richmond resident Stephanie Payne says two of her friends were out for a walk in South Arm Park last Wednesday, when they came across multiple squirrels either deceased or in grave condition.
"They saw five squirrels that were pretty much almost dead," she said
One of the women immediately reported the distressed squirrels to the BC SPCA and the City of Richmond, which prompted firefighters and city staff to cordon off parts of the area for public safety.
Firefighters scoured the park and discovered a toxic chemical around some of the trees. The compound, known as 1-octanethiol, can cause headaches and vomiting in humans. If handled incorrectly, it can be deadly.
“We want to know who put it there and why it was put there,” says Cpl. Adriana O’Malley, spokesperson for Richmond RCMP.
Police confirm the toxic material has since been safely removed by an environment clean-up crew and the park is fully reopened.
As investigators search for a motive, Payne has her own suspicion of why a toxic substance was dumped in the park. She has frequented the greenspace for the past five years and in that time, she says the squirrel population has grown significantly. Payne believes someone must be fed up with the critters.
“There was so many," she said. "Now, I walk the park and am like why am I not seeing any squirrels? It’s just really odd.”
Payne’s friends have put up posters on trees throughout the park, warning pet owners and people with young children about the harmful chemicals. They’ve also spread the word in community groups online. Richmond RCMP is urging park users to be vigilant.
“If you’re going to the park and you start to see wildlife that appears sick or you’re finding deceased wildlife, make sure you contact the city of Richmond of police,” says Cpl. O’Malley.
Mounties says the chemical has not been found in any other parks so far, and there have not been any reports of people or family pets falling ill.
Anyone who has information on the incident, or who witnesses someone dumping substances at the base of trees in Richmond, is asked to call the RCMP at 604-278-1212. People who want to remain anonymous can instead call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
What a U.S. farmworker’s case of bird flu tells us about tracking the infection
A U.S. farmworker who caught bird flu after working with dairy cattle in Texas appears to be the first known case of mammal-to-human transmission of the virus, a new study shows.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
Canadian Auger-Aliassime reaches first Masters final in Madrid with another walkover
Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime has advanced to his first ATP Masters final, and he hasn't had to play all that much tennis to do it.