Mounties are investigating the discovery of a toxic substance in a Richmond, BC park that killed and sickened a number of squirrels..Richmond Fire Rescue scoured the park and cordoned off all possibly affected areas for public safety..RCMP said the substance was identified as 1-Octanethiol, a compound used in the production of chemicals that can be dangerous to people and animals if not handled correctly. An environmental clean-up team was immediately called to remove the substance..The park remains open to the public..“The origin of the toxin is still under investigation,” Cpl. Ian Henderson, of the Richmond RCMP, said in a news release..“Fortunately the resident recognized something was wrong when she started seeing a number of dead and sick squirrels. We have not received any reports of people or family pets falling ill, nor have there been any other instances reported in other city parks at this time..“Richmond RCMP and the City of Richmond are putting out this public warning to ensure residents, particularly pet owners, be aware and keep an eye out for anything suspicious, including multiple dead or sick wildlife in a concentrated area.”.Exposure to1-Octanethiol can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, nose and throat, as well as weakness, increased respiration, nausea, headache, drowsiness, and convulsions, according to public data..“How and why this toxic material ended up here is still under investigation. Whether it was placed in specific locations intentionally or simply dumped in the park, this substance has no place here, and our investigators are working to determine who was responsible,” said Henderson..Richmond RCMP wants the public to be vigilant in local parks, and report suspicious activity to police immediately. Anyone who happens to witness someone placing a substance at the base of trees in the park is urged to contact the Richmond RCMP at 604-278-1212, quoting file number 21-15615..Reid Small is a BC correspondent for the Western Standard.,.rsmall@westernstandardonline.com
Mounties are investigating the discovery of a toxic substance in a Richmond, BC park that killed and sickened a number of squirrels..Richmond Fire Rescue scoured the park and cordoned off all possibly affected areas for public safety..RCMP said the substance was identified as 1-Octanethiol, a compound used in the production of chemicals that can be dangerous to people and animals if not handled correctly. An environmental clean-up team was immediately called to remove the substance..The park remains open to the public..“The origin of the toxin is still under investigation,” Cpl. Ian Henderson, of the Richmond RCMP, said in a news release..“Fortunately the resident recognized something was wrong when she started seeing a number of dead and sick squirrels. We have not received any reports of people or family pets falling ill, nor have there been any other instances reported in other city parks at this time..“Richmond RCMP and the City of Richmond are putting out this public warning to ensure residents, particularly pet owners, be aware and keep an eye out for anything suspicious, including multiple dead or sick wildlife in a concentrated area.”.Exposure to1-Octanethiol can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, nose and throat, as well as weakness, increased respiration, nausea, headache, drowsiness, and convulsions, according to public data..“How and why this toxic material ended up here is still under investigation. Whether it was placed in specific locations intentionally or simply dumped in the park, this substance has no place here, and our investigators are working to determine who was responsible,” said Henderson..Richmond RCMP wants the public to be vigilant in local parks, and report suspicious activity to police immediately. Anyone who happens to witness someone placing a substance at the base of trees in the park is urged to contact the Richmond RCMP at 604-278-1212, quoting file number 21-15615..Reid Small is a BC correspondent for the Western Standard.,.rsmall@westernstandardonline.com
