Gulf Oil Spill Animals – Where Are They Now?
Having been removed from the endangered species list just six months before the spill, brown pelicans continue to face a challenging new environment. Heavily oiled herons, egrets, pelicans and other water fowl can’t fly, easily become hypothermic and run the risk of organ failure. Although Sunday prayers may sooth our consciences, without proper funding, the future for many Gulf species looks questionable. On Nat Geo Wild’s documentary, “Saved from the Spill”, Dr. Mireya Mayor follows the Gulf spill legacy. While oil disbursements reduce the chance of oil sticking to animals, environmentalist fear contamination as bottom dwellers such as crabs, lobsters, other crustaceans, rays and more feed where oil and chemical disbursements settle. Without intervention to capture, clean and rehabilitate sea turtles, water fowl and other native/migratory species, it is unlikely they can survive. Although public support has been great, as with any catastrophe, people forget fast. Once the issue is no
