Move Over, Great Emu War: Hummingbirds Single Winged-ly Halt Controversial Construction Project
Move over, Australian Emus circa 1932 – it seems there's another group of annoyed avians determined to ward off the pesky humans encroaching on their space, none other than the viciously intimidating and infamously sour beasts known as … Canadian hummingbirds? To the relief of local environmental advocates everywhere, it seems the group of birds has successfully halted work on the controversial, multi-billion-dollar TransMountain oil pipeline by doing what they do best – existing.
After a nest of Anna's hummingbirds, which are not endangered but are protected under federal Canadian law according to The Guardian, was found near the constriction site, officials are halting construction on the pipeline set to run from Alberta to British Columbia until August 21, due to the fact that “migratory birds are particularly vulnerable at this time”.
“Cutting vegetation and trees or carrying out other disruptive activities such as bulldozing or using chainsaws and heavy machinery in the vicinity of active nests will likely result in disturbance or destruction of those nests,” Environment and Climate Change Canada explained in a statement.
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However, it seems these unwittingly antagonistic birds may have lots and lots of backup, according to one local group. “Our members have confirmed eight active nests on this site, but there are hundreds, likely thousands more bird nests along the 1,500km of the pipeline route. And yet, construction continues without adequate government monitoring or protection,” a representative of the local Community Nest Finding Network told The Guardian in a statement.
So folks, if there's anything to glean from this instance and of course, the great emu war of 1932, let it be this – don't mess with birds: they can and will flock you up.
Top Image: Shutterstock
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