FUJAIRAH // An oil slick is said to have caused the fatal food poisoning of more than 50 black herons that were found on Al Faqet beach last month.
Initial tests confirmed the absence of any symptoms of disease, according to the environmental protection unit of Dibba Municipality.
But the results of the samples that were taken from the birds showed that they died of food poisoning.
Some of the birds were swollen, decomposing and were emitting a foul odour, said Fatima Al Handhobi, head of the environmental protection department.
When the birds were found, the department immediately formed a committee to handle the matter, said Hassan Salem Al Yamahi, the municipality’s director.
The committee went to the beach and examined the birds to ascertain the cause of death.
Mr Al Yamahi said the herons had landed on the beach and stayed there for some time before they died.
rhaza@thenational.ae
