The City of Prince Rupert says its staff recently found 19 dead eagles in a local landfill after someone dumped a "hazardous substance."
The city said in a statement posted online Friday that officials are still working to identify the substance that was dumped at the landfill.
"We immediately notified all relevant authorities and mitigated the risks to the environment and local wildlife with all means at our disposal," the statement said. He added: Municipal workers started the cleaning operation from the day the leak was discovered.
The city says it has hired an environmental consultant to help identify the substance and develop a long-term action plan.
  "The city is grateful that the spill into the pond was contained and not released into the environment via the spillway," the statement said.
"Tragically, 19 eagles were lost as a result of this event, a devastating outcome that deeply affected our staff. We also recognize the cultural importance of eagles and all wildlife to our local First Nations and the impact of the tragedy. We understand the impact it will have on many residents."
The city says it is "working closely" with provincial and federal environment ministries to "determine mitigation and control measures that will prevent these types of incidents" in the future.


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