US FWS Threat Assessment

The US Fish & Wildlife Service reports that they have 598 personnel actively engaged in response to the Deepwater Horizon/BP Oil Spill. FWS is also reporting that there are 36 National Wildlife Refuges at risk from the BP Oil Spill (http://www.fws.gov/home/dhoilspill/refuges.html). These precious national resources are home to dozens of threatened and endangered species, including West Indian manatees, whooping cranes, Mississippi sandhill cranes, wood storks and four species of sea turtles.

Many species of wildlife face grave risk from the spill.

Birds can be exposed to oil as they float on the water or dive for fish through oil-slicked water. Oiled birds can lose the ability to fly and can ingest the oil while preening.

Sea turtles such as loggerheads and leatherbacks can be impacted as they swim to shore for nesting activities. Turtle nest eggs may be damaged if an oiled adult lies on the nest.

Oil has the potential to persist in the environment long after a spill and have long-term impacts on fish and wildlife.

For More information on the Effects of Oil on Wildlife and Habitat, see http://www.fws.gov/home/dhoilspill/pdfs/DHJICFWSOilImpactsWildlifeFactSheet.pdf

Source: US Fish & Wildlife Service
http://www.fws.gov/home/dhoilspill/index.html