Indianapolis animal clinic cleans ducks covered in suspected jet fuel

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis animal clinic on Monday treated four ducks that were covered in jet fuel likely related to last week's explosion of a tanker truck that overturned on Interstate 70 at the Interstate 465 overpass on the city's east side.

The Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic of Indianapolis posted on Facebook on Tuesday that the birds were found near the site of the explosion in contaminated water.

Dr. Rayna Moy, an avian resident at the clinic, said one of the ducks was brought in by an animal control officer and the other three were brought to the clinic by a good Samaritan.

"The number one thing is to get the oil material off the feathers," Moy said.

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In addition to a thorough cleaning, Moy said the animals were given a physical exam to make sure they had no other injuries. Despite efforts by staff at the clinic, one of the ducks didn't make it.

The other three were taken Tuesday to a wildlife rehabilitator where the birds will be monitored to make sure they are eating and drinking as well as preening before they are taken to a safe area and returned to the wild, Moy said.

Moy said the clinic routinely treats wildlife that is brought in by folks concerned for the animals' welfare.