Environmentalists have managed to rescue five mallard ducks while their ten-folds sunk to deaths in a tailings pond filled with toxic byproduct of oilsand giant Syncrude Canada Ltd.

Tailings ponds are formed during the oilsands extraction process. These ponds are filled with mixture of clay, sand water and hydrocarbons and are toxic by nature. To protect wild lives and waterfowl from entering the ponds they are supposed to have protective measures in place. Authorities are blaming the winter for the delay in the deployment of these devices.

This sure is one more issue for environmentalists to attack the oilsand industry reputed for causing other major environmental problems. You can read the details in the issue in this CTV news report.