Thousands of migrating shorebirds could be in grave danger because of a new oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. A barge containing a million gallons of heavy, toxic fuel collided with another vessel in Galveston Bay Saturday. As much as 168,000 gallons of oil has already been released into the water. Coming at the height of spring migration, the timing of the spill could not be worse. Your urgent donation will help support Audubon’s efforts in Galveston and wherever birds are in danger. The spill took place near the globally important Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary, a critical wintering and stopover habitat for as many as 70,000 migratory shorebirds. The flats host congregations of Piping, Snowy and Wilsons plovers and other shorebirds, including Long-billed Curlew and Red Knots. Oiled birds are already being found — including a Sanderling and American White Pelicans — at Bolivar Flats. Audubon is mobilizing an emergency response team to protect the Sanctuary and help rescue oiled birds. The situation is evolving rapidly. We will keep the Audubon community up to date as we learn more about the extent of the damage and the full scope of the needed response.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 01:30:01 +0000
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