Jennifer Hanna volunteers with Audubon as a bird transport liaison. Photo courtesy Jennifer Hanna |
When the oil spill began, Jennifer Hanna was one of the thousands of people that went online and signed up with Audubon as a volunteer. “I’m an animal lover, and I figured that they needed local volunteers that they wouldn’t have to put up in hotels or find housing for,” says Hanna, who owns the New Orleans restaurant Sucre with her husband. She was called up within a week or so, and ever since then has been making the hour and fifteen minute drive to Delta Marina in Empire, Louisiana, two to four days a week to transfer oiled birds from boats to the trucks that carry them to be cleaned. Audubon spoke with Hanna this week as she was waiting out a rainstorm, taking cover under an awning with fishermen and bird rescuers who would resume searching for more oiled birds as soon as the weather cleared.
What’s a typical day like for you?
The boats go out at 9 or 9:30 in the morning, and I get here at a quarter to 10. I call the coordinators to let them know I’m here, then I wait. I flag down the boats that have birds—they’re typically flat boats with a canopy that keep the birds shaded, and you look for the bird cages. They pull up, hand me the crates, and I make sure that they have the coordinates of where they found the birds and the name of whoever captured them. The majority of the time they’re brown pelicans—they’re really trying to save them because they were an endangered species.
This pelican was washed in four specialized tubs, each containing a different concentration of Dawn detergent. Photo by Kim Hubbard/Audubon Magazine |
A crate will have up to three birds in it. I carry it to the truck; if it isn’t there, I carry it to a shaded area and I’ll call Beth (a bird rescue coordinator) and let her know that we have birds here. We just try to keep the birds calm, they’re so traumatized as it is. We try to not let everybody come up and stare at them. We load them up in the truck and they take them away to get washed.
How many birds do you transport a day?
For the first couple of weeks we had 20-40 birds a day coming in. It’s drastically decreased over the last two weeks here. It’s slowed down to maybe two birds a day. You just hope they’re catching all the birds they can.
Has anything about the birds surprised you?
Something that really took me aback at first was that I had no idea that pelicans have all different eye colors, like people. These pelicans come in and they stare at you with these bright blue eyes. And then another will have green eyes, and another one brown eyes. I expected them all to have brown eyes. But you see these birds, especially the ones with extremely expressive blue eyes, and they’re so beautiful, and they’re drenched in oil.
How do you deal with handling these traumatized birds?
I came in and was all excited and nervous at the same time. And then these really, really oily birds started coming in, and that’s so heartbreaking. Some of them
An oiled brown pelican refuses to eat the offered capelin. Photo by Kim Hubbard/Audubon Magazine |
are completely covered and look like they’re in a puddle of oil in the crate. It really is heartbreaking. You kind of have to put yourself in a different place and say, Ok, I’m not going to cry about this. For the first two days I had to tell myself, You can do this. Just take birds and get them where they need to go and keep them as calm as possible. And as cool as possible, because with the heat index down here it can get up to like 115 degrees, and they’re covered in oil. You have to think, C’mon, let’s get this done.
At the end of day when you go home, it’s just so overwhelming. But you also feel so good because you’re a part of something that’s so much bigger than you. It’s completely overwhelming but gratifying at the same time. I have a great job, but I feel like it’s important to do this on my days off, and I enjoy it. I’ve gotten to know the different fishermen, and this kind of feels like home. I’ll help until they don’t need me any more.
For more photos of oiled birds being cleaned, click here. For an interview with Audubon's Melanie Driscoll about mobilizing thousands of volunteers, click here. And here, Audubon's Greg Butcher explains why it's so difficult to keep birds away from oil.
Comments
I think we all felt the same
I think we all felt the same way as you - it was extraordinary to be part of something so much larger than ourselves. It truly was the most rewarding experience of my life. Keep your chin up and keep going
642-456
Jennifer, for continuing to
Jennifer, for continuing to do your great work with the birds even though to do so causes you emotional pain. Too many people let their emotions get in the way of help,Ref # 640-721
642-456 Cry through it, get over it, get it done. You deserve the highest praise for your committment to save the birds you can.
Phone # 646-2301Y0-A17
I hope Jennifer and her
I hope Jennifer and her ssociates knows that we are with them in spirit each day and wish we could help but understand the priorities.
Mark Taylor@testking 646-985
Being a Volunteer
When you volunteer in a way that benefits the environment either ecologically or socially the benefits of volunteering take on a new dimension as you are not only helping the immediate surroundings but are aiding on a global scale.
Hey Dude, I just caught wind
Hey Dude,
I just caught wind of this you published. Really it's a good stuff for those who are looking for Volunteer Abroad Programs. I would like to tweet on it and keep my eye behind at every moment you blogging.
Jennifer---What you did was
Jennifer---What you did was way beyond what most people would do. Thanks
for helping save the birds by giving your time and emotional strength. A job
you should be very proud of doing. THANK YOU!
Good to know
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story and the words of this volunteer. I hope Jennifer and her ssociates knows that we are with them in spirit each day and wish we could help but understand the priorities.
Wow
Thank you for sharing this post with us. I can't imagine what it must be like to stare into an oil-soaked pelicans eyes. What an inspiring moment. It is people like you, who roll up their sleeves and help that give us all hope. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I wish I could be there to help as well!
Offers us all hope
Shared photos on my Facebook page. Thanks for some positive feedback, which we can all use. I'm registered to help in my area. SE Fla.
Namaste
Thank you
Thank you Jennifer for all that you have done. Human kind has done a horrible thing to these birds, but we have a glimmer of hope because of people like you. Our thoughts are with you. Take care.
Thanks and Thanks again!
Thanks to all those who are working whether paid or unpaid for risking their lives to Save Our Gulf.
I personally wish I could go to work down there, but unfortunately I am not in a position to go.
I pray each day for all those who are working that they will be protected from the funky dispersants they have used on this spill.
I also pray that Alex will head towards it's current projected path and not to interfere with the cleanup. I also hope that it doesn't move this oil westward.
So far we've been able to escape this catrastrophe, but for how long?
God Bless and Thanks again!
Thank you, Jennifer!
Thank you for being such a dedicated volunteer! The birds need people like you.
Wanna help save some cleanup $$$?
Hi, name's Deb, and eyerock4ever, because it changes daily! Now how would you like to do something new hi-tech, AND help with the Gulf cleanup from a bird's point of view? For every free Umail you send into space, $1.00 will be donated in your behalf! Free to sign up and free to send! Normal charge is $4.95. Send as many as you like! Let BP know how you feel. Tell all your friends and families! It is too cool! Originated by a little girl who wanted to help but couldn't, and was thinking of ALL the Dawn they were going to have to buy, got this business owner of this site to help! ALL $ goes to the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, and you will be assisting in cutting the costs of the clean up! Now how's that for helpin'! All for just a couple of minutes of your time! The birds need you! Check out Eye Rock's poem (looking for a music theme), written as a juvenile bird. And stop by help save the birds, to say hi to Little Miss Eden! 1000 Umails sent today, and 5 of Miss Eden's T-shirts will be raffled off! Thank you for your time and hope to see you around the block! http>//www.umailwizard.com
Thanks
Thanks for placing that information above. I've sent many already. From what I can tell, it goes to a Save The Gulf campaign that benefits the Audubon Society? How did you learn the information in your post? I'd like to learn more in order tro share it with my FaceBook followers.
Brings back memories of the Treasure oil spill
Dear Jennifer,
Thank you for being there for these helpless animals in their time of need. I can relate so strongly to the emotions you describe - I was part of the oiled wildlife response team when the Treasure sank in South Africa - exactly 10 years ago this week - oiling 19,000 African penguins (a Threatened species at the time, and just recently declared Endangered). I force-fed penguins and also trained and supervised the volunteers who came to help rehabilitate the birds. It was grueling work, and emotionally devastating, but we had to keep our emotions in check and just push through any pain we felt on behalf of the animals.
The most inspiring part was that 12,500 volunteers came from all corners of the earth to save the penguins - and we saved 90% of them! I think we all felt the same way as you - it was extraordinary to be part of something so much larger than ourselves. It truly was the most rewarding experience of my life. Keep your chin up and keep going - you are doing incredibly important work, and you have the whole world behind you!
Dyan deNapoli - The Penguin Lady (author of The Great Penguin Rescue, to be released by Free Press in October 2010)
gratitude
deep heartfelt thanks to all who volunteer and all who work to save animals from the effects of the oil spill. having worked in an animal hospital i know how emotionally draining it can be. it's even more important to push on in the face of that. peace.
Gratitude from Ohio
I am grateful for all of the volunteers helping the wildlife from the Gulf. How horrifying it must be for these unsuspecting creatures who were just doing what they do, and found themselves the victims of us doing what we do.
I helped out with a rescue of animals caught in a small spill in Navarre, OH with the Tri-State Bird Rescue in 1995. Most of the birds were Canada Geese, who are not as endangered, but still amazing creatures. My memories of that event will remain with me forever. I share Jennifer's experience. It is heartbreaking work, and you have to take yourself to a different place to do it. The release of the rehabbed birds is all worth it, though. I still cry whenever I relive that moment that I watched those geese return to the clean water.
<3 You go girl!! Thank you <3
<3 You go girl!! Thank you <3
Three steps forward ....
Three steps forward .... Still, you know what they say about the man who never made a mistake! Keep going - you'll get there soon - and it's good to have some news again.
volunteerr
If anyone could hedp me get into the cleanup or help with the wildlife please contact me i am certified haz mat tech and lived in the bust many times very adaptlable thaanks
Contact Information
If anyone can refer me to an organization or individual in the Tampa Florida area who can help me get involved in the rescue effort it would be greatly appreciated. I am willing to travel if necessary. I have lived and worked in both Africa and Romania in primitive settings so I am very adaptable.
Regards,
Marcie
I am so very grateful to
I am so very grateful to Jennifer and all of the volunteers who are working hard everyday to help the animals that are struggling to survive. My heartfelt thanks! Vera C.
thanks
jennifer, thank you. what more can i say. THANK YOU TO EVERY VOLUNTEER. I AM SO GREATFUL FOR YOU!
Thanks for all you do and
Thanks for all you do and the other volunteers and workers . I have volunteered my services but have yet to be called . I think it would help me cope to know I was doing something . Stay strong ! The gulf will recover with a lot TLC!
Jennifer Hanna
Thank you so much, Jennifer, for continuing to do your great work with the birds even though to do so causes you emotional pain. Too many people let their emotions get in the way of help. Cry through it, get over it, get it done. You deserve the highest praise for your committment to save the birds you can.
Oh My Gosh
I live in New Mexico and watch all of your courageous and humane efforts. Everyone out here discusses the situation in the Gulf constantly and we are deeply saddened. I personally thank you for your hard work and will try not to cry now.
Volunteers
It is so wonderful to read about people like Jennifer Hanna. Thanks Alisa for writing this entry. It is inspiring to find that in the midst of such tragedy unsuspecting heros are emerging.