What about the Oil???

As most of the world is aware of by now, there was an enormous explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, 2010 (ironically 2 days before Earth Day).  This explosion killed 11 workers and injured several others.  It also caused oil to come gushing up from the sea floor at an alarming rate.  This gusher continued until it caused the largest oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry - over 200 million gallons of oil was released directly into the Gulf.  The well was capped on July 15 and, as of this writing, BP is working to permanently seal it.  In addition to the economic impacts on the people who make their living in the fishing and tourism industries, thousands of birds, turtles and other wildlife have been injured and/or killed by contact with the oil.

Since the response to this spill is the reason that I am currently working as a Wildlife Rehabilitator in the Gulf Coast region, you have probably wondered why I haven't mentioned anything about the oil and its effects on the wildlife that I've seen.  It has now been a couple of weeks since a bird was brought in covered with a lot of oil.  We have continued to receive birds everyday and a few of them have had some sort of contaminant on them....but it's not really oil.  It could be a combination of oil and dispersants or it may be something else entirely-so far, the findings have been inconclusive.  A lot of the birds we get in are injured in other ways though - fractured wings and severe dehydration are the most common.  There are groups of US Fish and Wildlife employees, volunteers and paraprofessionals (like me) that are driving around throughout the Gulf Coast looking for animals in need of help.  Since we aren't overwhelmed with oiled birds, we are able to help these injured birds that otherwise would have to suffer and probably perish in the wild.

So why are we still here?  It's a good question and the truth of the matter is that we could be closed at any point.  However, since we are now into hurricane season, the general consensus is that we will be sticking around for a little while longer in case a large storm comes that causes the oil to become an issue again.   NOAA has released a report that 50% of the oil that was leaked is still out in the ocean in some form - either on or just below the surface of the Gulf.  That finding has been disputed by a lot of scientists, most of whom seem to believe that the amount remaining is much higher.....but even if it is true, that 50% amounts to the equivalent of NINE spills the size of Exxon Valdez in Alaska.  The Exxon Valdez spill took place 21 years ago and they are still finding oil and having environmental issues related to it.

My hope is that BP will keep the wildlife centers in each state open for at least the next couple of months.  For migratory birds, this is a critical time of year as so many birds from all over the world pass through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida on their way to Central and South America, not to mention the thousands and thousands that stay to winter here in the Southern US.  (There is a great article on National Wildlife Federation's website that goes into more detail - here )  If BP were to pull the plug on wildlife rehabilitation now they may save a little money but all it will take is one hurricane that hits the Gulf in the right (or wrong) place and they will have to set up the whole thing again - and deal with the press that they pulled out too soon.  I feel that it would be cheaper for them in the long run to just stay the course until the well is sealed, hurricane season is over and the ocean has had a little more time to deal with the devastating effects of their mistake.  They have a wonderful opportunity to make a good precedent for how corporate responsibility should be undertaken for wildlife, the environment and the people in communities that they have impacted. (Exxon appealed all court rulings and managed to tie litigants up in the system for 20 years before they finally agreed to settle at a small fraction of the original amount awarded by a jury.)

Regardless, I am starting to think about the next phase of my adventure and what/where that will be.  I'm here as long as the wildlife centers are open and in need of rehabilitators but I feel like this is only the beginning of a new journey.  One where I can follow my heart and have faith that I am moving in the right direction.  For now, I at least know that I am making a profound impact, even if it's only one bird at a time....