Suspicious substance discovered in wildlife water source in Santa Clara County

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, Calif. (KGO) -- Animal and nature lovers are on alert after county park rangers believe someone tried to poison a popular water source for wild life at Santa Teresa County Park. They think the suspicious material was discovered before any animals ingested it.

A park maintenance worker found three white bars, floating and dissolving in the water trough, off the Corral Mine Trail. There was a strong chemical odor coming from the water, which is leading park officials to think it may have even been rat poison. The suspicious substance is now being tested.

"We've cleared it out, made all the water clear and everything so when cattle come through and dogs and everything it's all clear for them to drink out of it," said County Park Ranger, Bryan Lue.

The trough is used by dogs, birds, cattle, just about any animal in the area. Now sheriff's deputies and park rangers will have extra patrols out. Flyers will be posted on all bulletin boards warning park users to be on alert near water sources just in case.

"He swims in water and drinks in anything so he'd probably get sick and I would have no idea what's going on with him," said Spencer Ackermann, San Jose resident.

Others find the discovery of the suspicious tablets, infuriating.

"We come out here to enjoy the nature, to get him some exercise and the fact that someone would do something like that is kind of disgusting," said Lisa Pullinen, San Jose resident.

"It's worrisome in many ways just having such people around but of course for the animals here so many wonderful animals wild animals here," said Vitaly Feldman, Mountain View resident.

Investigators have no leads.