Report: Animals in Ohio parks dying 'at alarming rates' after train wreck

Report: Animals in Ohio parks dying 'at alarming rates' after train wreck

WND Staff

A newly published report charges that animals in Ohio parks are dying "at alarming rates" following the derailment of a chemical-laden train in East Palestine only a few weeks ago.

There were 50 train carriages, 10 of which were carrying hazardous chemicals, that derailed on February 3. The railroad actually allowed a "controlled release" of the poisonous gasses on the Norfolk Southern train – reportedly to prevent an explosion.

A report from the Ohio Star said officials told East Palestine residents days after the accident they could return home, "despite the reports of hundreds of dead fish in the Ohio river near East Palestine and residents complaining of headaches and illness since the derailment."

Soon residents were reporting cases of bronchitis, lung issues, and rashes that doctors and nurses suspect are linked to the chemical exposure.

Gov. Mike DeWine, the Environmental Protection Agency, and others have repeatedly said they are monitoring air and water conditions and there are no significant health concerns.

But, the report said, "A source told The Ohio Star that her husband, a wildlife biologist and consultant for the federal forestry, received hundreds of calls on both Sunday and Monday from colleagues who say forestry workers have found hundreds of dead animals in Ohio’s parks.

The report said she confirmed labs have been given specimens of minks, deer, elk, worms and livers of such animals and they are finding toxicities that are off the charts.

"These highly toxic levels are the exact chemicals that were released from East Palestine. Wayne National Forest and Shawnee State Forest in Ohio, are downriver from East Palestine and are two parks where samples are from," she said in the report.

The source also told The Star that DeWine is allegedly blocking scientists from getting into state parks – but the scientists are finding ways to circumvent that.

"The governor and the railroad were blocking scientists from getting soil samples in East Palestine, but they were able to still grab some for testing. Likewise, the soils are highly contaminated," she said, according to the report.

Just days ago, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg claimed that rules changes under the administration of Donald Trump meant that there were not enough safeguards to prevent such accidents.