How does the oil spill impact wildlife?

Since the drilling rig Deepwater Horizon burned, sank and began spilling oil this spring, we’ve all seen the tragic images of oily birds in the waters off Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. For birds, sea turtles, fish and other water-dwelling wildlife, the immediate threat of oil contamination is very serious. Beyond this immediate impact, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports, the oil will likely cause major long-term effects on the food chain and habitat. Birds and other wildlife in affected regions will likely have less available food, for instance, and lower breeding success for some time to come.

Fisheries biologist Amanda Hill holds an oiled brown pelican rescued from the Gulf of Mexico.
Photo: Kim Bretton/USFWS/Flickr

What are we doing?

As a land conservation organization, we remain focused on protecting healthy coastal habitat for wildlife throughout the region. While we do not work on the frontlines—fighting the oil washing ashore or assisting animals that have been oiled—we are dedicated to saving and restoring habitat. We have conserved or restored unimpacted coastal wetlands, as well as bottomland hardwood forests and wetlands along the Mississippi River and other rivers that feed into the Gulf of Mexico. This work is more important than ever, as birds forced from contaminated marshes must look for healthy habitat nearby to rest and feed.

Moving forward, we’re committed to actively helping our partners in federal, state and local agencies as they work to restore this damaged ecosystem. As these agencies plan to acquire healthy new habitat for birds and wildlife affected by the spill, we continue to play an active role. To date, The Conservation Fund has helped protect or restore more than 300,000 acres in the region.

What can you do?

Thanks to all of you who care about our environment and want to help solve problems caused by the oil spill. Here are a few things you can do:

• Learn about U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service efforts on its Deepwater Horizon Spill Response website.
• Track the latest information about the oil spill’s trajectory, shipping information, fishery closures and where responders are taking action on a new interactive mapping site launched by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
• Volunteer by visiting these coordination efforts: Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama. You can also call the oil spill response hotline at 1-866-448-5816.

Can you donate to save wildlife habitat?

Yes. BP is legally obligated to fund the oil cleanup and habitat restoration. If you would like to donate to The Conservation Fund to protect wildlife habitat in this region and across the country, you can do so here.