Steps in an Oil Spill Response
Quick, expedient and effective response is essential to saving lives during an oil spill. Every minute the animals are exposed to toxins means greater risk for severe, life-threatening health problems. The OWCN is proud to have a 50-75% save rate of oiled animals we have helped. The step-by-step process OWCN professionals take in responding to major spills can be found below.
Activation of the OWCN
California Department of Fish and Game’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) sends wardens and biologists out to find out the severity of an oil spill and to see what animals and plants might be in danger.
If the spill poses a threat to animals, the OWCN is placed on alert and notified by the Incident Command Center if they are needed. If called, the OWCN response coordinator mobilizes the response, notifying the response center closest to the spill and the trained OWCN response personnel. A call for volunteers might be issued at this time.
Search and Collection
Our staff search the tainted marshes, beaches or rivers, collecting both live and dead oiled wildlife in affected habitats. With time of the essence, affected animals are transported to the nearest OWCN facility for emergency care.
Intake and Stabilization
Birds and mammals are given a physical examination and blood is taken to determine the extent of oil-related damage. For legal purposes, the animal is photographed for identification and oil samples are taken for special testing that will help identify the source of the spill. Oiled wildlife, often dehydrated from not eating or drinking enough, are given an electrolyte solution (Pedialyte) and then a chemical that helps remove any oil ingested.
Once stabilized, patients are medically treated, fed and hydrated up to 8 times a day. When exposure involves highly volatile or caustic compounds like diesel fuel, animals may receive a quick wash as well. Once individuals have rested (2-5 days after intake), the animals are finally ready for the extensive de-oiling wash.
Cleaning
Animals are washed in a series of tubs filled with dilute Dawn® dish detergent and hot (103-105°F), softened water. To rinse off the sticky oils, volunteers must use water under high pressure. Washing and rinsing can take as long as an hour per bird and several hours per otter. Once cleaned, animals are placed in covered pens equipped with pet dryers until completely dry.
Recovery and Pre-Release Assessment
Believe it or not, it may take 10 days for birds and marine mammals to restore their waterproofing ability after being oiled and then cleaned with detergents. To see if they are ready to return to the wild, we place animals in pools to make sure they are again waterproof and able to maintain body temperature. To be ready for release, they need to have good body condition, normal behavior, foraging ability, a healthy weight, and normal blood values.
Release
When an animal meets release criteria, federal bands or tags are placed for permanent identification. Since their homes may still be covered in toxins, animals are released into clean habitats that are appropriate for their species.
To really understand the long-term effects of oil on wildlife and to make sure each patient survives, the OWCN funds pre-qualified researchers to look at post-release survival of rehabilitated animals. Projects often use radiotelemetry techniques that have been developed specifically to monitor survival and track movements of that particular bird or mammal.