BC SPCA: Gulf of Mexico oil spill

Gulf of Mexico oil spill - wildlife impacts

May 4, 2010

The BC SPCA has received numerous calls and emails from caring members of the public wanting to help with this devastating disaster.

The BC SPCA has previously responded to oiled wildlife incidents in our province, however the international response effort in the Gulf of Mexico is being coordinated by Tri-state Bird Rescue. The BC SPCA is a member of the Oiled Wildlife Society of B.C. and the Oiled Wildlife Trust, which are in regular communication with Tri-state Bird Rescue. The B.C. groups have offered our support, however local US wildlife organizations currently have the capacity to handle the impacted animals.

The massive oil spill on the Gulf Coast was caused by the explosion and sinking of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig. The spill is fed by oil gushing at the rate of 5,000 barrels a day. Louisiana's state bird, the brown pelican (photo), and thousands of migrating birds, sea turtles, whales, dolphins, river otters and many species of wildlife numerous others are at risk as the oil spill comes into the coast. Nearly three quarters of the US waterfowl population uses or migrates through the Gulf Coast - it is critical habitat for hundreds of species of migratory birds, which breed, winter, and rest here during migration.

For up-to-date information on the spill, please visit the Deep Water Response website.

Interested in volunteering?

BP has established a volunteer number and set up a toll-free number for people to call. When calling, people should communicate what they are volunteering for and what areas they are available to work in. In addition, people can call to learn about the training that is required to work in oil spill clean-up operations.

Volunteer Line - (866) 488-5816

Report oiled wildlife - (866) 557-1401

For more information, please email Sara Dubois, Manager of Wildlife Services, BC SPCA.

You can help the BC SPCA continue to advocate for higher standards of animal welfare. Please donate to the BC SPCA's Monty Fund for Community Education & Outreach today.

The BC SPCA is a non-profit organization funded primarily by public donations. Our mission is to prevent cruelty and to promote the welfare of animals through a wide range of services, including cruelty investigations, emergency rescue and treatment, sheltering and adoption of homeless and abused animals, humane education, advocacy, farm animal welfare, spay/neuter programs, and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.