On Thursday Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ONDR) director Mary Mertz announced estimates of more than 43,000 fish and other aquatic animals have died in the 5-mile span of waterway from the East Palestine train derailment disaster. There is “no immediate threat” to aquatic life in the town’s Leslie Run creek, and fish are returning to the waterways, according to ONDR. The agency believes the the aquatic animals and fish died within the first 24 hours following the train crash. The samples were collected on February 6 and 7, then “EnviroScience counted, identified, measured, and arranged disposal of the aquatic species to limit impact to other wildlife that might feed on affected aquatic species.”
