How are our animal friends hurt from oil spills?
There are 3 major ways oil injures wildlife: • The oil gets on the feathers and fur, and destroys the safegard value. Mammals and birds then die of hypothermia (they cannot stay warm any longer). • They swallow the oil, either while trying to get rid of the oil from their fur and feathers or while eating the remains of dead animals. The oil is a toxin that causes death. • The oil can damage the liver or cause blindness. An injured animal can’t compete for food or avoid predators. Oil also affects reproduction.
