PHOTOS: Creek Spill Kills Thousands of Animals in Upstate New York

Environmental groups, the state health department, and the state department of agriculture are focusing their attention on an upstate New York creek this week after a spill of organic waste reportedly killed tens of thousands of fish, reptiles, and other animals.

The public is warned to stay away from the area as cleanup crews continue to respond to the incident, which has been attributed to a nearby cheese manufacturing facility. Now, officials are searching for answers.

Organic Waste Spill at Ischua Creek in Franklinville, NY

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation reported that the organic waste spill at Ischua Creek in Franklinville, NY was linked to the Great Lakes Cheese manufacturing plant. The NYS DEC also shared the devastating effects the spill had on local wildlife:

To date, DEC has documented tens of thousands of fish, amphibians, reptiles, and other species impacted in the recent die-off. In addition, [state and local health departments] are continuing to evaluate whether there might be potential impacts to wells in the area immediately adjacent to the plant.

Great Lakes Cheese's New York Manufacturing Facilities

Great Lakes Cheese has manufacturing facilities across the country, including the new location in Franklinville, NY as well as an additional New York State location in the town of Adams. The "manufacturing" section of their website contains a company promise of "the highest standards of safety, quality, and consistency".

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While the NYS DEC continues to monitor water safety and its impacts on local wildlife and human populations, there is also focus on Great Lakes Cheese. Officials say they are in close communication with the company "to prevent ongoing impacts to the creek [and] to help protect water quality and creek habitat". The NYS DEC also shared that there is currently no evidence that the spill has contaminated local drinking water.