| You may have seen footage of birds covered in oil. | | | | To give you an idea of the numbers, here is the data |
| Animal rescue groups in the area of the Gulf Oil Spill | | | | from just one day, August 9, 2010. These numbers |
| are working daily to clean and save the animals. But | | | | show the results from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife |
| how many animals are we talking about? One dozen? | | | | Service (USFWS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric |
| One hundred? One thousand? Here are the real | | | | Administration (NOAA), and various rehabilitation |
| numbers. | | | | centers in the Gulf area. |
| Which Gulf oil spill animals are affected? | | | | These are the numbers of animals collected for |
| Bird species include royal terns, Caspian terns, birds | | | | August 9, 2010: |
| that frequent the marshes, such as mottled ducks, | | | | Birds collected alive: 15 |
| clapper and black rails, seaside sparrows, and birds | | | | Birds collected dead: 78 |
| who build nests along the ocean shores, like American | | | | Sea turtles collected alive: 9 |
| oyster catchers and Wilson's plovers. | | | | Sea turtles collected dead: 2 |
| Birds that live on the water are heavily affected by | | | | Mammals (including dolphins) collected alive: 0 |
| the water pollution. These include ducks, loons and | | | | Mammals (including dolphins) collected dead: 5 |
| grebes. Those that feed on the water, such as | | | | Other reptiles collected alive: 0 |
| pelicans, gulls, terns, and herons are also susceptible. | | | | These are the TOTAL number of animals injured or |
| Even birds of prey, like bald eagles and ospreys are at | | | | dead so far (as of August 9, 2010): |
| risk. | | | | Total birds collected alive: 1869 |
| Marine mammals, including dolphins, whales, otters, | | | | Total birds collected dead: 3902 |
| manatees, seals and sea lions, breathe and ingest the | | | | Total sea turtles collected alive: 503 |
| oil, causing poisoning, and it covers their skin and fur. | | | | Total sea turtles collected dead: 517 |
| Sea turtles breathe the oil and eat food covered in it. It | | | | Total mammals (including dolphins) collected alive: 0 |
| reduces their health over time, making them more | | | | Total mammals (including dolphins) collected dead: 71 |
| susceptible to illness and death. | | | | Total other reptiles collected alive: 1 |
| Other reptiles, such as snakes and land turtles, can | | | | It's hard to imagine so many animals being injured, and |
| also be affected by the sea pollution. They rely on | | | | so sad to think of the thousands so far who have died |
| other animals for food, and if those animals have been | | | | from the water pollution in the Gulf oil spill. Fortunately, |
| covered in oil or poisoned, and the reptiles eat them, | | | | there are rescue organizations in the area working |
| they can then be in danger as well. | | | | around the clock to help the animals and clean up the |
| How many animals are affected? | | | | mess that others have made. |