Including the live bird, as many as six have been found around town since last week. Two more dead geese were reported Tuesday south of Butte, said Thompson. Two dead geese were found by individuals in the Walmart parking lot last Thursday. A third was found alive on Amherst Avenue last Wednesday, but it later died.

Thompson said MR has directed Butte-Silver Bow animal control to “do everything possible” to try to save any birds found alive. Randall said the veterinarian treatment involves flushing the birds both inside and out to “get everything out of them.” The pit water contains sulfuric acid and heavy metals.

MR will foot the vet bills, said an EPA spokesperson.

Randall said if any birds found in town survive, BSB will release them back into the wild.

A spokesperson for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said the agency will pick up the 23 dead snow geese MR has already collected Wednesday. Those birds will be sent to a lab for necropsies.

MR and ARCO could receive fines if EPA determines the companies were not in compliance with the bird hazing program. That program was designed by state and federal agencies in response to the 1995 snow geese die-off when 342 birds died.