(Helsinki) Finnish-Swedish papermaker Stora Enso is suspected of killing thousands of endangered freshwater pearl mussels in an incident linked to its logging operations in Finland, authorities said Wednesday.
On August 15, timber-carrying machinery crossed a protected stream in the eastern town of Suomussalmi, causing mud, sand and debris to fall into the water, killing the mussels, Metsähallitus, the state-owned land management company in Finland, said in a statement.
“The devastation caused to this stream is one of the worst events we have ever witnessed,” said Pirkko-Liisa Luhta, a Metsähallitus official.
Police are investigating the incident, she said Wednesday.
The damaged area, extending over a distance of 150 to 200 metres, was located on private and protected land, and constituted a habitat for the freshwater pearl mussel.
Present in about a hundred rivers and streams in Finland, the life expectancy of this mussel exceeds 200 years.
But due to the effects of human activity affecting its habitat, the pearl mussel is now threatened with extinction.
It has been on the list of protected species in Finland since 1955.
Following the incident in Suomussalmi, measures were taken by the Finnish authorities to restore the riverbed and try to save the surviving mussels.
Stora Enso said it had halted all forestry activity at the site and launched an internal investigation into the incident.
“We are very sorry,” said Janne Partanen, head of wood procurement for Stora Enso in Finland.
“It is now essential that action is taken quickly and carefully to restore the damaged area and prevent further damage,” he added.