Photo credit: knowledge.allianz.com
SeaWorld San Diego has announced that they’re prepared to help rescue and rehabilitate sea birds and mammals affected by the oil spill along the coast near Santa Barbara, California.
On Wednesday, an estimated 105,000 gallons of crude oil leaked from a pipeline and into the Pacific Ocean. According to the US Coast Guard, the oil has expanded to two slicks and covers over 9 miles.
SeaWorld’s Oiled Wildlife Care Center in San Diego said it was prepared to accept 200 sea birds and 20 mammals. They also offered to send trained specialists to the spill zone if needed.
According to a spokesperson, SeaWorld has more than 100 specialists trained in treating oiled animals.
“When you wash them you’re trying to get that oil off as quickly as possible because like I said before, it’s burning their skin. It’s damaging their feathers,” said Kim Peterson of the SeaWorld Oiled Animal Care Center.
It takes up to three trained staff members between 45 minutes and an hour to clean each bird after an oil spill, said SeaWorld.
The spill is the largest in years and the Santa Barbara-based Environmental Defense Center said to have it occur in “a sensitive and treasured environment is devastating to watch.” The group expressed special worry for the many species of whale that migrate through the area.
Check out the full story from CW 6, San Diego.