Environment
Oil Spills: Bringing The Solution Back To The Home
By
Aug 14, 2005, 23:12

(NAPSI)-Devastating oil spills in the Delaware River near Pennsylvania, Skan Bay in Alaska and Hyannis Harbor in Massachusetts, have harmed hundreds of aquatic animals, namely ducks, turtles, swans and otters.

After an area is contaminated with oil, wildlife rescue organizations, such as International Bird Rescue Research Center (IBRRC) and Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research, come on the scene to help the animals in distress. Trained rescue workers provide the affected animals with proper hydration and nutrition and wash them in tubs of warm water. Rescuers use Dawn dishwashing liquid, which is the only dishwashing liquid safe enough to remove the oil while being gentle on the animals' skin, feathers and fur.

"Removing the oil on affected birds is a delicate process. The contaminated birds are lowered into the tubs and washed repeatedly until all traces of oil are removed from feathers and skin," said Jay Holcomb, executive director of IBRRC. "It's only when they are fully waterproof and rehabilitated that the animals are reintroduced into their natural habit."

While major oil spills have made news nationwide, many Americans don't realize that some of their regular activities can also endanger aquatic wildlife. In fact, nearly 85 percent of this pollution comes from everyday sources such as small boats, jet skis, cooking oil and other contaminants.

When oil leaves homes and neighborhoods, it travels to the habitats of many species of aquatic wildlife. For animals such as ducks or other birds, oil can cause their feathers to clump together, creating a hole in their protective coat, exposing their highly sensitive skin to extreme temperatures and putting their lives in jeopardy.

"Oil pollution destroys the homes and lives of hundreds of thousands of fish, birds and other aquatic wildlife each year," said Martin Kratt, co-creator and star of National Geographic Channel's "Kratt Brothers' Be the Creature." "But, the good news is, there are many things people can do on a daily basis to help prevent oil spills."

By following these simple tips at home, your family can help create a future that is free from oil damage and safe for all aquatic animals.

• Keep all vehicles well maintained to prevent oil and fuel leakage on the ground and in the water.

• Recycle used motor oil.

• Never pour oil into storm drains, on the ground or in a ditch.

• Place cooking oils and fats in a sealed container in the garbage rather than pouring down the kitchen drain.

For more information on the causes and effects of oil spills and how you can help, visit www.saveaduck.com.


After being saved from an oil spill, a duck family is released into the wild.

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