Ways to Help the Wildlife Affected by the Oil Spill

Thousands of animals were affected by the Gulf Oil spill but there are still ways to help.

When the Deepwater Horizon oil platform exploded in April 2010, it marked the beginning of one of the worst man-made environmental catastrophes the world has ever seen. Millions of gallons of oil pumped into the Gulf of Mexico staining the waters and threatening wildlife from fish and turtles to dolphins and birds all along the coastlines of the affected states. There are several ways you can help the animals affected by the oil spill.

Volunteer

Numerous charities, non-profit organizations and environmental advocacy groups responded to help clean up oil-coated animals after the Deepwater Horizon spill. Many of these organizations are still active in 2011 working to either rescue animals or to clean up and protect animal habitats damaged by crude oil washed ashore. The Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation, Oil Spill Volunteers and organizations set up by the states of Louisiana and Florida are active helping wildlife, and still look for volunteers to help.

Write Your Congressperson

According to the National Wildlife Federation, more than 150 dolphins have been found dead and coated in oil since the Deepwater Horizon disaster-- 65 of those dead dolphins were babies. In addition, 87 dead sea turtles have been found along the Gulf Coast. The NWF encourages citizens to write their congressperson asking her to pass oil disaster response legislation that would create fines and punishments for companies responsible for oil spills, and directs that money to wetland habitat protection and rehabilitation.

Donate Money

If you can't physically get down to the Gulf Coast to help with the animals affected by the oil spill, your money can. Organizations like the Audubon Society and the National Wildlife Federation accept donations, and can put your dollars to work saving animals, restoring habitat and lobbying for regulation of big petrochemical companies. Dawn dishwashing liquid, which is often used to clean up oil-coated animals, will donate $1 for every bottle of Dawn purchased to helping animals. All you have to do is visit the website to activate your donation (see Resources section).

Donate Hair

Hair, human or animal, is a key weapon against spreading oil slicks that can endanger animals or animal habitat along coastlines. Donate your extra locks to help trap oil and prevent the spread of it into sensitive habitats. Salon and pet-grooming service owners are encouraged to donate hair clippings from their businesses to help protect coastline animals.

References

• PBS.org; New Estimate Puts Gulf Oil Leak and 205 Million Gallons; Maureen Hoch; August 2010
• National Geographic: Global Action Atlas
• National Wildlife Federation; New Tests Confirm BP Oil Still Being Found on Dead Dolphins;Miles Grant; April 2011
• Dawn: Saving Wildlife
• "U.S. News and World Report"; 10 Things You Can Do to Help the Gulf Coast Clean the Oil Spill; Maura Judkis; May 2010

Resources

• Mother Nature Network; Army of Volunteers Needed for Gulf Oil Spill...; Stephanie Rogers; May 2010