News / Wildlife
Shock as dozens of dead fish spotted in pond
Dozens of dead fish have been found floating in a pond in Bristol.
The fish appeared in the pond in Canford Park, sparking concern among locals who made the discovery on Tuesday.
Posting on NextDoor, Lin Page wrote: “I was very shocked and saddened to see so many dead fish in the pond in Canford Park this morning. The water was like dark green stagnant soup. Does nobody take care of it?”
is needed now More than ever
Other members of the Westbury-on-Trym community expressed their dismay at the deterioration of what used to be “such a lovely pond – full of fish, frogs, water boatmen, dragonflies”, but is “now completely lifeless”.
Another wrote: “The park is always very busy but the pond seems to be at the bottom of the list of priorities. Absolutely disgusting especially when there is so much wildlife that depends on it.”
Sad to read about the dead fish in the pond at Canford Park. Water gone stagnant because the council turned off the pump as a cost saving measure. Entire pond ecosystem now gone belly up. Literally. Solar powered pumps exist and work very well when most needed in the summer
— Caroline Gooch ? ? ?? Bristol Lib Dems (@carogucc) June 15, 2022
The cause of the fishes’ death is unknown, but some blamed the park’s custodians – Bristol City Council. .
Former Lib Dem mayoral candidate Caroline Gooch tweeted: “Entire pond ecosystem now gone belly up. Literally.”
She added that the water turned stagnant because Bristol City Council turned off the pump to save money.
Canford Park in Westbury-on-Trym is a Victorian park with a children’s play park, football pitches, tennis courts and a bowling green – photo: Betty Woolerton
Bristol City Council has rebuked the accusations, calling them “inaccurate”.
It said the pond on Canford Lane was never designed to be a fishpond and fish, often unwanted pets, were introduced without permission.
A council spokesperson stated: “There has never been a pump at the pond. The fountain originally operated by having mains water pushed through it but this was halted by the utilities company in 2019 due to the risk of pond water flowing back into the freshwater supply.
“Instead a water tap serves the pond and to improve water quality we installed aerating water plants which have since been vandalised, stolen and pulled out. This may be another reason fish have died.
“Any dead fish are being removed, but without a licence we cannot rehome any fish already in the pond. We are topping up the water supply and working with a pond expert to provide an immediate solution for improving the water and keeping the pond as aerated.”
The council asks the public not to release fish into the pond and to keep dogs out.
Main photo: Betty Woolerton
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