Message From CROW on the Gulf Oil Spill

As most of you know, I am very involved as a volunteer with CROW (Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife). Due to the disaster in the Gulf and the horrible things that are happening to wildlife in the northern part of the Gulf, I am sometimes asked what CROW is doing or going to do if the oil should reach our beaches and what we as citizens can do to help. This week there was an excellent article in the Island Sun written by CROW's president, Susan Tucker. She explains what will happen if we are hit by this disaster and CROW's part in the clean up. I felt it was worth copying and posting here.

Island Sun Vol 17, No 49 June 11, 2010 pg 19

Message From CROW On The Gulf Oil Spill
by Susan Petersen Tucker,CROW President

When the Deepwater Horizon exploded on April 20, little was known about the immediate effects it would have on wildlife. One week later, the first oiled bird was found off the coast of Louisiana. For the next two weeks, there was still minimal impact on the region’s wildlife. But as we are approaching mid-June, that is all changing.

Federal officials are now reporting that 604 birds have been collected, just 82 alive. They also say that 253 sea turtles have been found, with only 25 alive.So far, 29 dolphins have been found, all dead. The oil is beginning to reach the shore, the marshes, and two major pelican breeding grounds in Louisiana.Experts are now predicting that thousands to tens of thousands of our wildlife neighbors could be directly harmed by
this environmental catastrophe.

From the time the oil spill began, all wildlife rescue and rehabilitation efforts have been coordinated through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research. At CROW, as a member of the local joint response team, we have volunteered our services and our facilities to them as part of that coordinated effort and we are on alert to assist as needed.

At CROW, we have also been heartened and overwhelmed by the generosity of those who have called to volunteer their services to help with the rescue and rehabilitation of oiled wildlife. The USFWS and Tri-State are compiling lists of potential paraprofessional responders in our area in the event local efforts are needed.

In order to be considered to participate in these efforts, individuals must possess (or work directly under someone possessing) an active permit, license or authorization related to the migratory bird, sea turtle or other species being handled. You must also possess a working knowledge and have at least three months experience with the protocol,
procedures and hazards associated with the species. Preference will then be given
to those with hazardous materials training, OSHA training, rabies shots and extensive rescue experience. In Southwest Florida, there are over 80 federal, state and local agencies and organizations with qualified responders on their staff. It is up to USFWS and Tri-State to assess and deploy the human resources if local rescue, rehabilitation or cleanup efforts are needed.

In other words, it is highly unlikely that any “volunteers” will be called upon to directly participate in local efforts. It is an inherently dangerous activity, the oil
is considered to be a highly toxic material and for your own safety (and for the safety of our wildlife) you should avoid going to any oil-affected areas and handling wildlife in distress.

But there is a lot you can do to help. The state of Florida has created its own program for volunteers (www.volunteerflorida. org) to fill a variety of needs (you must be at least 18 to register). Governor Crist has also activated a tollfree hotline (1-888-337-3569) to answer questions about volunteer opportunities and the state’s response activities.

Over the past weeks, so many caring and compassionate people have also come to CROW to help us. Our potential call to duty to help oiled wildlife significantly threatens our existing daily operations and having these new volunteers to help us with basic patient
care, food preparation, feedings, tortoise grazing, cage cleaning, laundry and even
helping to answer our telephone hotline has made a tremendous difference for CROW. We are open seven days a week, 365 days a year, treat over 200 species and nearly 4,500 patients a year and are always close to full capacity. We are still looking for additional volunteers who are seeking a memorable and meaningful experience.

You can also help us by becoming a member of CROW or by making a donation that will help us continue to save wildlife through compassion, care and education. If you would like to become a CROW volunteer, a member or make a donation, please call CROW at 472-3644 ext. 6 or go to our Web site www.crowclinic.org.

For over 40 years, thanks to people like you, CROW has worked tirelessly to give wildlife a voice and to give people hope for their future. Together, let’s hope and pray for the future of those who are now seeing their world through oil-soaked eyes and let’s give them a voice in the midst of this tragedy. Thank you for your continued support.