Birds Rescued From Oil Spill Released
Rescued Birds Released by Justin Sullivin
Look at those little birds go! This is exactly why we need to support those people and organizations that support wildlife!
“It’s amazing. It gives you goose bumps all over,” said Nooshy Mobasher of Lafayette, a volunteer who helped wash birds at an Oiled Wildlife Care Network facility. “It’s like seeing your kids go off to college.”
About 15 birds that were rescued from the oil covered waters of the San Fransisco Bay were released yesterday. The Seattle Times has a wonderful gallery of the rehabilitated birds being released.
The birds seemed reluctant to leave their pet carriers and fly to freedom at first. But when one brave American Coot slipped out of the cage and skipped out over the water, 10 others quickly followed, to the delight of a handful of caregivers who helped treat the birds and had come to say goodbye.
On October 30th, an accident occurred while the Dubia Star vessel was refueling. This sent about 800 gallons of bunker fuel into the San Fransisco Bay. Bunker fuel is a type of liquid fuel that is fractionally distilled from crude oil. Sometimes it is referred to as fuel oil. It’s thick and very toxic to wildlife. Recently, the shipping industry has been under fire for using this type of fuel.
From The Guardian:
Confidential data from maritime industry insiders based on engine size and the quality of fuel typically used by ships and cars shows that just 15 of the world’s biggest ships may now emit as much pollution as all the world’s 760m cars. Low-grade ship bunker fuel (or fuel oil) has up to 2,000 times the sulphur content of diesel fuel used in US and European automobiles.
Whoa!
A big thanks to all the volunteers that helped. Your work is greatly appreciated!
