Posted on March, 15 1999

Half of the greylag geese who spent this winter in Coto Doqana are coming back seriously contaminated by heavy metals. 20% could die from toxic poisoning on their way to northern Europe or in their summer residence in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Germany and the Netherlands.

The first fatalities of last year4s disastrous toxic chemicals spill in the Coto Doqana in southern Spain will be the helpless birdlife which up until now had been protected in what is considered Europe4s most important wetland national park. Researchers of the National Council for Scientific Research in Spain (CSIC) revealed this week, that up to 40.000 geese, which is half of the total population in Coto Doqana, may be suffering from lead and cadmium poisoning. Of these, at least 20 % seem to be in inminent danger of dying. This data is based on the comparison of samples taken in the summer in Sweden and more recently in the Coto Doqana reserve.

"Coto Doqana is one of the most important stops on the international flyway for migratory birds between the Arctic and Africa. The news that heavy metals are now entering the food chain of these migrating birds is one of the saddest blows for international nature conservation this decade", said Guido Schmidt, WWF conservation officer leading the Coto Doqana task force. "If the bird mortalities are showing up already in the first year after the accident, who knows what the long-term consequences will be for the entire wildlife in the region". Coto Doqana is one of the largest protected areas in the EU territory, a Natura 2000 site and a Ramsar World Heritage Site.

Last April, the reinforcing wall of the Aznacollar mine reservoir collapsed releasing thousands of gallons of toxic chemicals and heavy metals into the surrounding countryside, including into the Guadiamar river which flows directly into the Coto Doqana. As an important land owner in the National Park, WWF pressed for quick action by the regional and national authorities, and the mine owners, to minimise the dangers of the accident.

"But efforts taken up until now have been taken too little and too late", said Guido Schmidt, calling for immediate action: "WWF fights for a clear water lagoon for geese and for a quick clean up of the whole area. Now that the whole catastrophe also affects other European countries we expect more international pressure on Spanish authorities to act. The Coto Doqana accident is clearly going to have to be on Europe4s agenda, possibly for a whole decade".

More information:

Katharina Seifert-Prenn, WWF Press Officer, tel. + 322 7438 814 (Brussels, Belgium)

Guido Schmidt, WWF Conservation Officer in Coto Doqana, mobile + 34 689 050781 (Coto Doqana, Spain)