1,000 Swans And Geese Dead In Oil Slick Off Estonia

The Estonian government is investigating the cause of the oil slick (RFE/RL) 3 February 2006 -- More than 1,000 dead birds have been found along Estonia's Baltic coast following a presumed oil spill from a passing ship.

A spokesman for the environment ministry said today in Tallinn that some of the dead birds -- mostly snow geese, seagulls and swans -- had ingested oil. Others had oil on their feathers.

The worst-affected area is a 35-kilometer stretch of coast in the north-west of the country, near the Gulf of Finland.
A long oil slick was first noticed on 28 January. The Estonian government has ordered an investigation into the incident.

(dpa, AP)