Dead ducks under power line raise concerns for Alberta man

A retired scientist in southwest Alberta says he has many concerns after finding dozens of dead ducks.

David McIntyre said he foundduck carcasses under a newly-built transmission line north of Pincher Creek.

McIntyre estimates the deaths may be in the hundreds based on a 10-minute walk along the line he took on Dec. 31 after receiving calls about the ducks.

I encountered dozens of carcasses and there were seven eagles on the site feeding on carcasses. There were other scavengers feeding on the carcasses dozens of ravens, a rough-legged hawk. An eagle was carrying off a duck carcass.

McIntyre saidjudging from the damage to ducks, he thinks they may be hitting the line in bad weather when they can't see it.

The biggest concern is not so much what has happened, but the placement of this line between a staging area on the Oldman River valley and the Oldmanreservoir and the grain field feeding areas that are adjacent to that.

The transmission line belongs to AltaLink.

The Alberta electrical utility companys spokesman Scott Schreiner says the company is unaware of any problems.

Schreiner said AltaLink takes thereportseriously and will investigate.