An accident in Jundiaí, a municipality near São Paulo, Brazil, ended with a lake and blue-dyed ducks. It occurred at the Tulipas Lake, a tributary of the river that runs through the local Botanical Garden.
The incident was caused by the overturning of a truck transporting dye used in the cardboard industry.
The spill affected both the aquatic ecosystem and the local fauna, including ducks and geese that turned blue. The images quickly went viral on social media.
Blue Ducks in Brazil: What’s in the Dye and What’s the Environmental Impact
According to local media reports, the impact of the accident was such that three of the tanks carried by the truck were ejected onto the road.
One hit houses, leaving visible stains on facades and cars, while the other two emptied their contents directly into the lake. The water immediately turned a neon blue hue, as fish and birds were completely covered in dye.
How the accident happened. (Photo: Ana María Magazine).[/caption>
Among the most striking images are those of ducks and geese stained blue.
As explained by specialists, the spilled dye is based on acetic acid, an organic chemical compound commonly found in kitchen vinegar.
Although it is considered less toxic compared to other chemicals, its presence in large quantities altered the water’s pH, causing the death of fish and aquatic microorganisms.
Animal Rescue and Measures Taken
Organizations like the NGO Mata Ciliar intervened to rescue the affected animals. The ducks and geese underwent detox baths with activated charcoal to reduce the absorption of the dye.
Some animals quickly regained their natural color, while others lost some of their feathers due to prolonged contact with the contaminated water.
Although the dye used is not among the most dangerous, this incident demonstrates how even compounds considered less toxic can have devastating effects on sensitive ecosystems.
