The first polished swans swim in nature

The first 41 swans that were cleaned up after the leak of oil in the port of Rotterdam are now swimming in the wild. On Saturday, the birds are released in Oude Tonge (South Holland), reports the Rijkswaterstaat.

There are now more than 460 swans in a shelter at Hoek van Holland. The volunteers have already cleaned most of these animals. 125 swans are still waiting their turn. Once empty of oil, all swans must remain in special tanks for a period of time. They can then restore their natural protective layer of fat, making their plumage waterproof.

And so to walk (to stumble ..) the first 41 clean mute swans regain their freedom. What a wonderful moment. pic.twitter.com/GVIACbNYn9

– Birdclass KarelSchot (@vogelklas) July 14, 2018

See also: Still waiting to help the swans. "I'm going crazy"

Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen (Water and Infrastructure Authority, VVD) is "happy that the first swans are flying away again". "Many people have worked with heart and soul to catch and take care of swans." Deep bending for volunteers and specialists. "

The Rotterdam Port Authority has now removed all oil from the Third Petroleumhaven, where tanker Bow Jubal was hit by a collision with a jetty on June 23rd. According to Rijkswaterstaat, it will take a few months before all quays and contaminated banks in the Botlek region are clean. Dutch Safety Office investigates how collision could have occurred

The greatest danger has passed

The greatest danger to swans and other waterfowl in the region has in any case disappeared. The refuge receives on average four swans per day. In the area where oil leakage occurred, only slightly polluted birds swam. These "are not in danger" and are left alone to not give them stress, according to Rijkswaterstaat. Environmentalists will continue to monitor the area in the coming months. A form on the Rijkswaterstaat website where people can report dirty swans will also remain open.

See also: South Holland wants to allow swan hunting with an awl, a dog and a hawk

The swans that are now back the wild, have not been released on purpose in their original environment. Rijkswaterstaat, in collaboration with experts and Staatsbosbeheer, opted for Oude Tonge because this place is more adapted to animals than Botlek. The water quality is better, there is enough food and there are not too many boats in the area. Most of the released swans will likely join other species that live in the vicinity.