The AER is responding to a report of approximately 30 dead blue heron on the Syncrude Canada Mildred Lake oil sands mine, which is located about 40 kilometres north of Fort McMurray.

No word on what caused the bird deaths. The animal was alive but had to be euthanized.

“We have seen irreparable damages to the environment and now death of a species that is listed with special concern”, said Adam.

Syncrude spokesman Will Gibson said the blue herons were found Wednesday and Thursday in a sump, or dugout, near a pump house, rather than a tailings pond.

Syncrude Canada spokesperson Will Gibson said the bird deterrent system was fully operational at the site.

Departments from the Governments of Alberta and Canada as well as the company are working with the AER to ensure all requirements are being met during the investigation.

In 2010, Syncrude was fined $2.3 million (Cdn$3 million) for negligence in the 2008 deaths of 1,600 ducks in a toxic waste pond, a case that fuelled worldwide criticism and raised questions about the environmental impact of developing Canada’s oil sands. The companies were not charged. In total, 122 waterfowl died after landing on three sites, including the CNRL Horizon facility and Suncor Energy’s tailings pond.