Dawn Kairns and Maggie the Dog: sea birds

Friday, June 4, 2010

How Pelicans Rescued from Oil Spill Are Washed & Learn Oil Effects (Video)

See How an Oiled Bird Is Washed and How You Can Support the Effort

Published By: Cris Popenoe in Sustainability

Oiled Brown Pelican upon intake May 20, 2010 at Fort Jackson, Louisiana Oiled Wildlife Center.

source: IBRRC photostream on Flickr

If you are as concerned about the effects on birds and wildlife from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill as I am, you’ll be interested in watching this video and seeing how help is being given one bird at a time. The pictures and video tell the story.

As the severity of the Gulf Coast oil spill increases a number of wildlife rescue organizations are on the front line. Among the most prominent are the bird rescue specialists from International Bird Rescue Research Center (IBRRC). IBRRC is working with Tri-State Bird Rescue, the lead oiled wildlife organization on the ground, to set up and staff rehabilitation centers in Louisiana, Alabama Mississippi, and Florida, where the growing oil slick will most impact the birds. To support the IBRRC’s efforts go here.

In this video from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Jay Holcomb, Executive Director of the IBRRC, explains to us what happens when a bird becomes oiled and demonstrates how an oiled bird from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill is washed at the Fort Jackson Rehabilitation Center in Louisiana.

Before & After: Oiled Brown Pelican Washed at Fort Jackson, Lousiana Oiled Wildlife Center source: IBRRC photostream on Flickr

Posted By:

Dawn Kairns
Author of MAGGIE the dog who changed my life

Website: www.dawnkairns.com
Blog: Dawn Kairns and Maggie the Dog
Twitter: themaggiebook

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Thursday, May 20, 2010

The Innocent Animal Faces of the Oil Spill

My heart goes out to the families of the 11 people senselessly killed on the Deepwater Horizon Oil Explosion. This explosion could have been prevented according to Mike Williams, an engineer who survived (you can view last Sunday's 60 Minutes online) by jumping into the oil filled waters before the rig sank. And my heart goes out to the fishermen whose livelihood is in peril. To the beach resort businesses who are suffering.

Mike Williams described the burning pain he experienced as he swam through leaking oil, away from the burning Deepwater Horizon to safety. How many sea animals are out there suffering this burning pain before dying? My heart is aching for what has and is happening to our Gulf birds, fish, sea mammals, insects, reef life -- to our beautiful, alive ocean. The eggs of the migratory birds that may never see life. The wetlands and fragile shores. These photos from the Huffington Post are not pretty, but I want somehow to honor the innocent animals, the animal lives taken that we'll never be able to count because they will sink to the bottom of the sea -- those who may become extinct as a result of this horrific human-caused tragedy.

For what has and is happening to you, I am so, so sorry ...