Authorities in Lublin have secured a public fountain on Wallenroda Street after dozens of dead birds were discovered inside, with preliminary water quality tests failing to identify a specific cause of death.
Police Investigation and Emergency Response
On Sunday, May 24, after 1:00 PM, Lublin municipal police were alerted to the presence of dead birds in a fountain near a playground on Wallenroda Street. Officers cordoned off the area and local firefighters were dispatched to the scene.
Authorities have prohibited public access to the fountain. Environmental protection services, in coordination with the police, are working to determine the cause of death, while a veterinary expert examines the carcasses and water samples are analyzed.
Initial Water Quality Testing
Captain Michał Gałkowski, leading the chemical rescue unit, confirmed that preliminary testing conducted by his team did not detect any immediate irregularities in the water. He stated that the Provincial Inspectorate for Environmental Protection will perform more specialized diagnostics.
Officials have not ruled out the possibility that the birds may have ingested poisoned food elsewhere before arriving at the fountain to drink. Investigations into the source of the toxicity remain ongoing.
Previous Observations at the Fountain
Reports from local witnesses suggest the issue may have been developing over several days. One resident noted seeing a small bird struggling in the fountain on Friday, May 22, which was eventually rescued and warmed on a nearby rock.
According to the witness, four other birds were observed drowned in the water at that time. By Saturday, May 23, the number of dead birds found in the fountain had reportedly risen to approximately 20.