Oil and Wildlife

Arctic Loon in full breeding plumage

The threat of oil-related injuries is very serious in Santa Barbara County—home to the most intensive offshore oil development on the West Coast. In 1994, 37 marine oil spills were reported in the county. A 1969 oil rig blowout afflicted thousands of birds, and as recently as 1997, a pipeline leak offshore from Vandenberg Air Force Base left hundreds of birds oiled and dying. In addition, naturally occuring oil seepages in the ocean ensnare many migratory birds, like the Pacific loon pictured to the right.

Birds that come into contact with oil may die from hypothermia as their feathers become matted and lose their waterproofing. Others suffer when they ingest oil while attempting to clean the substance off their bodies. The Network takes in hundreds of oiled birds a year, mostly migrating birds that encounter the natural oil seeps. A small washing station in a volunteer's backyard can handle a few birds at a time, but large quantities of birds afflicted in even a small oil spill must be transported to the International Bird Research & Rescue Center in San Pedro, California for treatment.