HOUSTON (AP) - Officials say more than 50 birds, turtles and other animals were found dead or died after last month's petrochemical plant fire that spilled contaminated products into the Houston Ship Channel.

Cleanup and product removal continues in the waterway and the Intercontinental Terminals Company tank farm at Deer Park following the March 17 accident. An ITC statement says 11 of the 15 tanks have been secured.

Adam Adams with the Environmental Protection Agency says 21 animals were recovered alive when wildlife experts were allowed into the affected area. Five of those animals died in rehab. Adams says 48 other animals were dead at the scene, including turtles, possums, birds and fish - none considered endangered.

Adams said Wednesday that nearly a dozen animals in rehab were ready to be released.

Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.