Birds Recovering from Oil Spill

Tools

By Nicole Grigg

Story Published: Jul 19, 2011 at 10:55 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jul 23, 2011 at 6:49 PM MDT

BILLINGS - Rescuers are still discovering animals along the Yellowstone River covered in oil from the ExxonMobil oil spill. On Tuesday, a Coopers Hawk was discovered with oil on it.

The 42,000 gallons of oil that spilled into the Yellowstone River has now killed at least 11 animals.

Animals are being taken care of at the Billings Flying Service grounds. Crews have set up a trailer, cages and a site to wash any wildlife found covered in oil. On Tuesday, a Canada Goose and Warbler were recovering from the spill. They’re expected to be released in the next couple of days.

The International Bird Rescue responded immediately to help find and save any wildlife damaged. So far, they’ve been able to release a snake and a toad.

While the number of animals with oil isn't as high as what might have been expected. The oil is still leaving a mark on wildlife.

Jay Holcomb, Director of the International Bird Rescue said he thinks that flooding mostly likely helped save the animals.

"I think the thing that was in the birds favor was the spill happened in the middle of the night, it moved really fast, and the animals had to get away from the flood zone, so they were out of the area. So, I think that was their saving grace,” said Holcomb.

So far, we haven't seen the extent of the damage done by the oil. Tuesday, KULR-8 made multiple requests for images off all the wildlife affected, including those oiled and those that had died.

However, the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks said at this time they don't want to release the photos.

Officials said if they continue to find more animals, ExxonMobil will provide more supplies to house and clean them. ExxonMobil has promised it won’t be leaving anytime soon.

“We’re not leaving. We have a refinery here and we have a presence here that has been here for decades,” said ExxonMobil spokesman, George Pietrogallo.

Officials are still trying to catch a bald eagle that was spotted with oil. They say they don't know how it would handle the winter.

The International Bird Rescue says they'll stay as long as they're needed.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KULR-8 News, Sports, Weather and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

Your Weather Authority

Icon
Current Temp 84.0 °F
Partly Cloudy
Wind : Variable at
6.9 mph
Humidity : 15 %
Pressure : 29.75 in
More Weather

Party America Sky Cam

More Weather

On Demand

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.