The numbers provided by Daily Dead Birds represent only a fraction of the dead and dying. Although 1,252 birds, 469 sea turtles and 5 mammals were cleaned and released, it is not known how many actually survived after release. In addition, many of the rescued died as a result of the stress of being handled or of secondary fungal or bacterial infections; some returned to oil-infected regions and became recontaminated; and many more died and never were found.
If a spill happens during nesting season, as in the Gulf in 2010, many eggs and fledglings die from lack of care when their parents are killed. Marine habitat, including streams and estuaries, is polluted by the oil, which can kill wildlife and poison food sources for years. Efforts must be made to protect or rescue wildlife in the event of an oil spill, both in the immediate aftermath as well as the future.
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What You Should Not Do
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You should not attempt to rescue wildlife that you suspect has been contaminated by oil, either through a massive spill or a local event. First of all, the oil can make you sick if you are exposed to it without the proper protective clothing. Second, you need to be trained how to properly handle wildlife, as well as how to effectively remove the oil. The process of rescuing wildlife is extremely structured and follows strict guidelines. If an oil spill happens near you and you want to help, contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. If you see an animal that has been contaminated, call one of these offices and report the location and anything else you may have noticed.
Preventative Measures
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If an oil spill is cleaned up immediately, then it may not come into contact with wildlife. This scenario is ideal but not always possible. Another preventative measure is to deter wildlife from a spill through the use of hazing, "a variety of visual, auditory, and experimental sensory deterrent methods," according to the EPA. As a last resort, wildlife may be captured before coming into contact with the oil, but this technique usually is employed only if the spill is massive.
Rescue
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If an oil spill has occurred, both dead and live animals are collected. Survivors are given a full examination by veterinarians or wildlife biologists, then warmed, fed, hydrated, detoxified, and rested for 24 to 48 hours before being cleaned. These methods are used for birds and mammals, including otters, dolphins, and polar bears. Manatees sometimes are affected by oil spills but generally are not captured and cleaned. While the protocol for rescuing wildlife is the same for birds or mammals, the prognosis for survival is unknown because follow-up is difficult, if not impossible.
Some marine organisms, such as oysters, cannot be removed from their habitat and cleaned. In this case, barriers are erected between them and the oil.
Cleanup
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Animals are stabilized before being cleaned up after an oil spill. After the animals have stabilized, they are cleaned repeatedly with hot, softened water and a diluted cleaning agent. Several passes must be made because the oil is thick and viscous and clings to fur and feathers. Special care must be given to rinsing off the cleaning agent; the EPA reports that failure to do so is a common cause of failure to rehabilitate.
Recovery
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After being cleaned, the animals are placed in outdoor holding areas, where they are observed until they stabilize. For instance, once a bird begins to preen and rearrange its feathers, it is starting to recover. Recovery can take days or even months if an animal also is injured. If an animal does not recover enough to be released, it may be transferred to a zoo or aquarium.
Assessment and Release
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Before being released, a bird must pass the buoyancy test. The animals undergo another veterinary examination when they are deemed healthy. Birds also must pass the buoyancy test -- in other words, float -- according to the EPA, and must weigh close to the average for its species. Then, in the case of birds, rehabilitators tag or band them. Finally, the animals are transported to a clean environment, where they are released. The EPA reports that, "the fate of animals released back into the wild has been questioned and requires additional investigation." Survival rate is in fact release rate because mammals are not tagged and because banded birds usually are not recovered in enough numbers to render an accurate assessment.
Environment Cleanup
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Booms may be placed around an oil spill in an attempt to contain it. After an oil spill, measures also must be taken to clean the environment even as wildlife is rescued. Booms may be placed around the spill, where they absorb oil, or around a habitat to prevent contamination. Skimmer boats are used to remove oil from the top of the water; sorbents, or specialized sponges, absorb oil from the surface as well. Chemicals may be delivered to break up the oil; and sometimes the oil is set on fire to burn it off, although this method produces air pollution and is not favored. Oil may be cleaned off beaches by vacuuming or shoveling or by the use of high-pressure hoses.
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