Call to Action for the Deepwater Horizon Oil Platform Explosion

The Deepwater Horizon oil platform explosion in the Gulf of Mexico was a human tragedy and has become an on-going environmental catastrophe, with no end in sight. Thousands of barrels of oil continue to spill into the ecosystem daily, in an area that supports half of the wetlands in the continental United States.  Both inshore and offshore habitats and ecosystems are being affected by the continually flowing oil. Inshore habitats act as protective nurseries for marine species, species that are of commercial value to the fishing industry, coastal marine mammals such as manatees and dolphins, and provide nesting areas for vulnerable sea turtles. Offshore areas support many species of whales, dolphins, marine fish, and smaller marine organisms. Detrimental effects to the lower levels of the food chain will ultimately impact species higher on the food chain, such as whales and dolphins.

What You Can Do To Help

• Report affected wildlife by calling toll free 1-866-557-1401. Individuals are urged not to attempt to help injured or oiled animals.
• Volunteer to help by calling toll free 1-866-448-5816.
• Donate to Wildlife Trust to help us continue our research on the endangered Florida manatee and the habitats and resources needed to help the species survive. DONATE NOW!

While the exact size of the spill is not known, it is estimated that a minimum of 210,000 gallons of oil are flowing out of the damaged well daily.  Oil mats are floating at the surface and large mats of oil have also been documented by researchers at the University of Georgia floating well below the surface.  This is particularly disturbing, as the negative effects are two-fold.  The toxic oil is harmful to marine species that come in direct contact with it, and the presence of large amounts of oil and oil dispersants (which have been used in large quantities by response teams) result in low oxygen levels due to microbes that feed on oil and oil dispersants. 

Wildlife Trust has been conducting marine mammal research in the southeast United States for almost ten years, and our scientists are extremely concerned about the immediate and long-term effects of this environmental disaster.  The endangered Florida manatee, a species of special concern to Wildlife Trust scientists, relies heavily on coastal habitats, seagrass beds, and clean inshore waters for survival.  Manatees become widely distributed at this time of year and are moving along the west coast of Florida into Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana coastal waters.  As the oil continues to spread and flows onto Gulf beaches and wetlands, manatee habitats will be severely impacted.  It is possible that if the spill is not contained it could be caught in currents that will spread the oil south along Florida, to the Florida Keys, and along the Atlantic coast.  Long-term, widespread damage is possible throughout the region.