Research and Technology Development
Research is the cornerstone for improving oiled wildlife response and care, and ensuring the “best achievable care” possible is afforded to all animals. Only through evaluating new and innovative techniques and protocols can we make changes to better rehabilitate oiled birds and mammals. The OWCN strongly encourages collaborative and thoughtful research projects by our partners and the research community by sponsoring in excess of $250,000 per year towards projects related to the effects of oil on wildlife.
Since oiled wildlife response is such a young science, we also do not fully understand the many ways oil can impact affected wildlife and ecosystems. Supporting hypothesis-driven research sponsored by the best possible investigators can broaden our knowledge base on both acute and long-term effects of oil in our environment.
The OWCN is also interested in better understanding the short- and long-term fate of animals that are oiled, capture, rehabilitated and released. Many biologists feel that animals that are oiled cannot survive upon release and, if they do, they cannot return to normal behavior and/or reproductive fitness. The OWCN has, to date, conducted two large-scale post-release studies on oiled seabirds using radio transmitters attached to their backs. These studies have shown that survival is better than previously thought. The OWCN now responds to every spill with the intention of conducting such studies to better understand the long-term effects of such exposure, and to use that information to better improve care techniques.
Competitive Grant Program
- Description of program
- How to Apply
- Previously Funded Projects
- Publications and Presentations
- Supported Graduate Students
Post-Release Studies
Other Research Information
- "In-house" Research
- Available Documents
- Effects of Oil on Wildlife: May 2007. Conference Proceedings (pdf)