Heading to the Gulf

Departure

June 9, 2010

What a nightmare! I have been watching the Gulf spill happen from a safe
distance, horrified at the images shown in newspapers and TV, all from the
comfort of my own home. That ends this Thursday. I have been asked by the
Humane Society of the US (HSUS) to join a very special group to visit and
offer insight and expert knowledge into the long term impacts this spill
will have for the wildlife in this region. As a rehabber, I know the joy and
heartbreak involved in caring for wildlife that has come off second best in
interactions with us. Oil spills are only one of the assaults to our
environment, however, it is one that I have also studied, especially the
long term impacts the toxicity of oil has on the avian body. Oil disrupts
many essential pathways; impacting pair bonding and breeding behaviours, egg
production and producing deformed embryos.

As a rehabber, IWRC board member and scientist, I hope I can offer some
constructive insight into the potential long term impacts the Gulf Coast
wildlife will be confronted with over the next many years.