Oil Spill Answers: Is There Any Way To Keep Birds Away From the Oil?
Carl Pellegrin (left, LA Department of Wildlife and Fisheries) and Tim Kimmel (USFWS) net an oiled pelican in Barataria Bay, La., on June 5. The bird was taken to Grand Isle, La., for stabilization before going to Fort Jackson Oiled Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Venice, La., for cleaning. Photo by John Miller/USCG
Many readers have written to us with questions about the oil spill and wildlife. In the coming weeks, we'll ask experts to answer many of those queries.
To kick things off, I asked Greg Butcher, director of bird conservation for the National Audubon Society, to respond to questions about trying to keep birds away from the oil. As one reader wrote, "Is there anything we can do to try at least to get them out of there before the oil hits, or before it devastates a whole flock? They do it at airports." Here's what Butcher had to say:
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The oil is very widespread. The birds are committed to using their traditional areas. While they are healthy, they are extremely difficult to catch. If they were caught and moved, the adults would fly right back. If they were harassed during the breeding season to try to get them to move, they would come right back because they are attached to their eggs and young. Because the oil is so widespread, the birds would have to move much farther than they would from an airport.
Prevention is key with oil. Once it is spilled there is little we can do. Once the leak has stopped and the clean-up has progressed, we can think about restoring the lost bird populations. |
To find out how you can help with the Gulf oil spill disaster, visit Audubon's How You Can Help page.
To read more about Audubon's oil spill recovery efforts, read a Q&A with Melanie Driscoll, Audubon's bird conservation expert on the ground in Louisiana.
OIL SPILL MOVIE THE PREQUEL
HI
We made the film with the Sierra Club four years ago warning everyone about the oil spill potential, check out the story
PREQUEL FILM TO THE OIL SPILL
http://www.thelovecollective.net/oil_spill_videos_documentary_warnings
THANKS
DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKER
Campbell Family Vacation
So the birds just die? no clean up and relocation? Since before the oil spill my 3 kids and I purchased Amtrak tickets from Sacramento to New Orleans and back. We are still going and now would like to volunteer our time and backs helping in some way during our stay. Any advice once we get there?
If BP is responsible for the
If BP is responsible for the costs of clean up - will all money spent by the Audobon society in the clean up - be repaid to them by BP? It should be. I would be glad to donate to your cause - to help expedite your resources in the clean up. I just want to know that you are also doing everything possible to make BP financially accountable. So that you build up cash reserves for other projects in the future.
Donations
I own a small generator rental business in Hawaii & would like to donate 10% of my income to help the wildlife & marshland cleanup in the gulf area. Will donation be used to help wildlife in this area or is BP responsible for all costs? What is the address to donate to?
donations
www.lagulfresponse.org This website has brought together many non-profit national and local agencies to work together for the rescue and restoration efforts of the Gulf oil spill.
Donation
On April 20th, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon incident occurred in the Gulf of Mexico. This event is horrific and tragic due to the loss of human life and now the beginnings of the loss of our environment. My heart is heavy and my mind constantly at work thinking of any way that I can assist with the cleanup effort currently underway. Tragic events never seem to fully sink in until it happens in your backyard. Florida is in danger of this catastrophic oil spill, both coasts now, due to the loop current that transfers water from the Gulf of Mexico out and up the East Coast of Florida, my home.
My breaking point came when I started seeing photographs taken of helpless animals drenched in oil and dying. It sickened me to my core and at that moment I knew that I had to do more than sit at my computer in tears. Because of the endless demand of urgent help, I have started donating thru my non-profit corporation, Enduring Wildlife. I felt the name was appropriate and timeless. Our environment is in dire need of help and no one knows how much time, money, volunteers, supplies, experts, etc. are going to be required. It is very scary and sad beyond words.
As of today, the oil is still gushing into the Gulf of Mexico with no end in sight. While I am not able to control when this damaged riser will be fixed, I can help clean up what has and will wash ashore. I can support local and non-local worker's efforts to keep this disaster as under control as much as possible.
Florida is home to manatees, dolphins, turtles, endless variety of fish, reptiles, birds and more. There is an amazing ecosystem here, it is beautiful and remarkable and it is crucial that it remains that way. This is the reason for my reaching out to you. I am asking for any donation you can offer, any amount will assist Enduring Wildlife tremendously and help it do extraordinary things. If you are offering your assistance with a personal check or money order, please make them payable to Enduring Wildlife Corporation. All donations made will help the wildlife that has been damaged by the oil spill.
Also, please visit ourwebsite at www.enduringwildlife.com to make a donation via Pay Pal. Please see the website for a list of items that are in high demand. The website is a work in progress and will continue being updated. If I can answer any questions, please feel free to contact me at info@enduringwildlife.com and someone will respond to your question(s) as soon as possible.
Best regards,
Nicole LeGrano
Executive Director
Birds are smart
I am fascinated by bird behavior and have questions for those who know pelicans and other sea birds. How long does it take them to learn to avoid oil? And also how strong is their homing instinct compared to pigeons?
Keep up the great work Audubon,I am a proud member!