|
Concerned about the wildlife affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico? Read our Q&A.
Who is helping the animals affected by the oil spill?
Two nonprofit organizations have been officially designated to respond to the crisis as it affects wildlife: Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research and International Bird Rescue Research Center (IBRRC). Tri-State is internationally recognized for its oiled bird rehabilitation and research and IBRRC has responded to more than 150 oil spills worldwide. The groups have set up rehabilitation centers in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is also working to minimize the impact of the oil spill on fish, wildlife and habitat.
Can I volunteer?
At this time, the involved agencies are requiring any volunteer who handles wildlife to possess a federal or state license in wildlife recovery or rehabilitation. Other volunteer opportunities to pre-clean beaches or perform administrative and clerical tasks may be available in the affected states. These volunteers must be over age 18 and must take a safety training course before being considered. The Deepwater Horizon Response Volunteer Request Line is a clearinghouse for all volunteer opportunities. Call (866) 448-5816 or visit www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com.
Can I donate?
BP, the company that operated the Deepwater Horizon, is funding the clean-up and recovery efforts. Therefore, the nonprofit organizations caring for the animals will not be designating donations specifically to fund operations related to the current spill. Donations made to these organizations will support their ongoing programs and future rescue efforts. In-kind donations are not being accepted.
Is UAN helping the animals affected by the spill?
UAN’s Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) program is designed to provide temporary sheltering for domestic animals, so our expertise will likely not be needed in this situation. However, UAN has been in contact with state officials and will deploy EARS volunteers if requested. We have also heard from some of our trained EARS volunteers in the Southeastern U.S. who are pursuing opportunities to volunteer individually in the Gulf.
How does oil affect wildlife?
Through physical contact, inhalation, ingestion and absorption, oil can contaminate feathers and fur and damage the lungs, kidneys, liver, heart, blood and gastrointestinal tract. Oil disrupts the interlocking structure of feathers and destroys the waterproofing and insulating properties of plumage. Oiled birds may suffer from chilling, be unable to fly or be unable to remain afloat in the water. Ingestion of oil by birds attempting to clean their feathers can result in injury to the gastrointestinal tract, preventing the digestive system from utilizing food or water and causing the animal to become progressively weaker in a very short time. Read more on the Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research Web site.
Can “oiled” birds be saved?
Rehabilitation of oiled wildlife consists of the cooperative efforts of veterinarians, biologists and rehabilitators with oil spill response experience. The primary objective of wildlife rehabilitation is to care for injured animals and release them to their natural environment. According to Jay Holcomb, Executive Director of the International Bird Rescue Research Center, many of these birds have a very good chance of survival, although the survival rate is hard to document. Read more on the IBRRC Web site.
What should I do if I see an oiled or injured animal?
Call the Wildlife Distress Hotline at (866) 557-1401.
How many animals have been affected by the oil spill?
According to the Oiled Wildlife Care Network, approximately 1,500 birds, turtles, marine mammals and reptiles (alive and dead) have been collected as of June 9. These reflect the numbers of collected wildlife reported by all authorized sources operating within the Deepwater Horizon/BP incident impact area.
Other Resources:
Share:
 
|
