Oil in or on the water is extremely hurtful to wildlife. For example, if an animal lands in an area with oil it may try to clean itself in the toxic petroleum. Doing this can cause an animal to ingest the oil and damage internal organs and the reproductive system. Even if the oil does not kill the animal instantly it can cause long term damage and result in deformed offspring. Immediate impacts of oil are it could get coated into birds' feathers such as cranes or seagulls which causes them to lose their buoyancy and their ability to regulate body temperature, mammals could ingest the oil which can cause internal bleeding and ulcers, and it covers sea turtles' shells easily. Although oil is no longer visible on the surface, it is not completely
…show more content…
This number was found based off of the map on the "consolidation numbers of birds that were reported to the U.S. Fish and and Wildlife Service" (nwf.org). Most birds that are affected are ducks, gulls, pelicans, and looms because they stay near sea and its shore. This sticky slime gets easily coated into bird's coats. Like mentioned before oil will separate and make birds' feathers fall out which makes them loose their buoyancy, cause skin and eye lesions, and if swallowed while grooming themselves with their beaks it can cause pneumonia, liver damage, and many other live-threatening conditions. When birds lose their feathers their skin becomes exposed to sunlight and temperatures it cannot handle. This can result in hypothermia (too cold) or hyperthermia (overheating). All feathers on a bird have to be aligned just right where the water will not seep through in any way. Feathers have microscopic barbs and barbules that are the vane of each one. These stick together like Velcro and form a waterproof barricade. "Properly aligned feathers will not allow water or air to penetrate and ensure that the bird is buoyant and insulated from the cold" (bird-rescue.org). "With proper vet treatment and good facilities, oiled birds can be stabilized, fed and when ready, can be washed by experienced wildlife rescue personnel" …show more content…
During the six months after the spill 1,066 sea turtles were found in the spill area. "These numbers are based on the consolidated numbers of sea turtles that were reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)" (nwf.org). Oil irritates turtles' skin and respiratory systems, burns mucus membranes of the mouth and eyes, causes organ damage, and created poor digestion. Oil also affects new hatchlings. "Newly hatched turtles, after emerging from the nests, make their way over the beach to the water and may become oiled" (conserveturtles.org). The total number of deceased turtles during the spill and long term periods afterward is still undetermined and will be hard to ever figure
This number was found based off of the map on the "consolidation numbers of birds that were reported to the U.S. Fish and and Wildlife Service" (nwf.org). Most birds that are affected are ducks, gulls, pelicans, and looms because they stay near sea and its shore. This sticky slime gets easily coated into bird's coats. Like mentioned before oil will separate and make birds' feathers fall out which makes them loose their buoyancy, cause skin and eye lesions, and if swallowed while grooming themselves with their beaks it can cause pneumonia, liver damage, and many other live-threatening conditions. When birds lose their feathers their skin becomes exposed to sunlight and temperatures it cannot handle. This can result in hypothermia (too cold) or hyperthermia (overheating). All feathers on a bird have to be aligned just right where the water will not seep through in any way. Feathers have microscopic barbs and barbules that are the vane of each one. These stick together like Velcro and form a waterproof barricade. "Properly aligned feathers will not allow water or air to penetrate and ensure that the bird is buoyant and insulated from the cold" (bird-rescue.org). "With proper vet treatment and good facilities, oiled birds can be stabilized, fed and when ready, can be washed by experienced wildlife rescue personnel" …show more content…
During the six months after the spill 1,066 sea turtles were found in the spill area. "These numbers are based on the consolidated numbers of sea turtles that were reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)" (nwf.org). Oil irritates turtles' skin and respiratory systems, burns mucus membranes of the mouth and eyes, causes organ damage, and created poor digestion. Oil also affects new hatchlings. "Newly hatched turtles, after emerging from the nests, make their way over the beach to the water and may become oiled" (conserveturtles.org). The total number of deceased turtles during the spill and long term periods afterward is still undetermined and will be hard to ever figure