Broughshane Waterfowl Park confirms black swan dies, as Paul Frew condemns ‘utterly reckless’ oil theft
The black swan that has sadly since died.
Sunday 01 November 2026
The death of a male black swan has brought further heartbreak to Broughshane Waterfowl Park, where two Trumpeter swans and more than ten ducks have already died following a devastating oil contamination incident.
The Broughshane Environment, Waterfowl and Wildlife Trust (BEWWT) has confirmed the additional loss as North Antrim DUP MLA Paul Frew warns that the popular community attraction could remain closed for at least five to six weeks while the contamination is cleared.
Mr Frew has condemned the “utterly reckless” actions of those responsible for what he described as a heating oil theft elsewhere in Broughshane village, which resulted in oil entering storm drains and flowing into the park's waters.
The MLA has also confirmed that he has been engaging with volunteers and communicating with Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir about the incident and measures to prevent it happening again.
Third swan lost as volunteers face further heartbreak
The latest death follows confirmation by the Trust on Monday 26 October that two of its beloved Trumpeter swans and more than ten ducks had died following the contamination.
The subsequent loss of the male black swan brings the confirmed swan deaths to three, adding to the devastation experienced by volunteers who have spent years caring for the park's wildlife.
The incident occurred on Thursday 22 October, following flooding the previous evening which had already left bird enclosures submerged.
According to the Trust, the combination of flooding and the oil contamination meant protective oil booms were unable to prevent the substance entering the park's waters through the drainage system. With their pens flooded, many of the birds had nowhere to escape.
A volunteer arriving on Thursday morning discovered birds heavily contaminated with oil and in a critical condition, prompting an urgent rescue operation in difficult weather conditions.
Three pens were immediately affected, containing five swans alongside numerous ducks and geese. Rescued birds were transferred to the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA) for urgent veterinary treatment.
In its earlier statement, the Trust said:
“We are absolutely heartbroken. Our park, which was once filled with healthy, beautiful birds and so much life, is now facing the devastating consequences of this incident. It is incredibly difficult to comprehend that such suffering and loss have occurred as a result of an act of vandalism.”
Frew condemns ‘utterly reckless’ oil theft
Mr Frew said the incident had caused widespread distress across Broughshane and the wider Ballymena area.
He said:
“Like so many across Broughshane and the wider Ballymena area, I was devastated to hear about the contamination of Broughshane waterfowl park last week.
“It has come to light that the contamination was a result of a deliberate heating oil theft in the Broughshane village which saw excess oil run off into the storm drains and flow directly into the waterfowl park.”
The MLA said the consequences had been devastating for the birds, volunteers and members of the public who regularly visit the attraction.
He added:
“The utterly reckless actions of those stealing the oil resulted in complete devastation for the waterfowl park, with two beloved Trumpeter swans and more than ten ducks being killed as a result of the oil contamination and has closed the park for at least 5-6 weeks for it to be cleansed. This is extremely disappointing for the volunteers and for the wider public who will not be able to visit the popular site”
Mr Frew's comments about the number of birds killed were made before the additional death of the male black swan was incorporated into this report.
Park faces weeks of closure as clean-up continues
The empty enclosure following the devastating incident
The Waterfowl Park has remained closed since the contamination, with oil affecting the lower section of its pond.
The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has been involved in efforts to extract and remove the oil, with the Trust previously confirming that agency personnel were due to return on Monday 26 October to continue the work.
Mr Frew's indication of a closure lasting at least five to six weeks provides the clearest timescale yet for the potential disruption, although the Trust has not independently confirmed a reopening date.
The incident has also raised concerns about the vulnerability of the park to contamination entering through the village drainage system, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall and flooding.
Volunteers and veterinary teams praised for rescue efforts
Despite the difficult conditions, volunteers worked through stormy weather to rescue as many birds as possible.
The Trust previously reported that 20 affected birds were receiving 24-hour care and attention from the USPCA.
It also paid special tribute to Clare Vets, where Jenni and her team took in a black swan and eight ducks, washing and treating the birds before keeping them warm, dry and safe overnight, completely free of charge.
The charity said the veterinary team's immediate assistance had made an enormous difference and may have prevented further losses.
Volunteers also thanked a member of the public who witnessed the emergency and went to James McNeill's to purchase a large supply of towels for the rescue effort.
Mr Frew joined those paying tribute to the volunteers, saying:
“I want to pay a sincere tribute to the dedicated volunteers of the Waterfowl Park who, despite the stormy conditions, battled to save as many birds as possible.”
Minister contacted over future safeguards
Mr Frew confirmed that he has been in contact with DAERA Minister Andrew Muir as attention turns towards the clean-up and preventing similar incidents.
He said:
“I have been engaging with volunteers in the Waterfowl Park as well as communicating with the DAERA Minister Andrew Muir to find a resolution and to ensure that a repeat of this situation can be avoided in the future.”
No specific additional safeguards or preventative measures have yet been announced in the information provided.
BEWWT, a community charity supported by dedicated volunteers, has received donations, messages of support and offers of assistance from people across the area since the incident.
The Trust previously thanked everyone who had rallied around the park, acknowledging the strong connection between the attraction and the wider community.
With three swans and more than ten ducks now lost, the focus remains on the recovery of surviving birds, the removal of contaminated oil and determining what measures could protect the park in future.
You can support the work of BEWWT through donating on PayPal by tapping the button below.
For now, the gates remain closed, and the volunteers who have worked tirelessly to save their flock face the difficult task of caring for the survivors while mourning birds that have become a much-loved part of Broughshane's community life.
