Miami Animal Rescuers Prepare for Worst

If oil spill hits coast, wildlife conservators say they'll be ready

As concerns loom over whether the giant mass of oil floating in the Gulf will make its way to Miami, animal rescuers are preparing for a wildlife catastrophe.

The possibility of hundreds or even thousands of oil-drenched birds needing care frightens conservators like Wendy Fox, who has been caring for pelicans and other seabirds for 20 years at the Pelican Harbor Seabird Station on the 79th St. Causeway, where she is executive director.

"Yeah, it's terrifying," Fox said Wednesday. "You know, I think for all of us, I'm not even sure that the potential magnitude of this has really sunk in for everybody yet."

Fox, who is also president of the National Association of Wildlife Rehabilitators, said her people are preparing for the worst. Government agencies and contracted coordinating groups are already reaching out.

"And they are at this point contacting us and finding out where everybody is and what availability we have," Fox said.

There's even a Website lining up volunteers for training.

Fox cautions that cleaning an oiled bird is not for the weak-hearted.

"It's a very, very difficult process," Fox said. "I don't think people realize just how exhausting that process is, emotionally as well as physically."

Often, the birds die despite valiant efforts. Fox said that in previous spills, the washing was the priority, but death rates were staggering.

"Now what happens is the bird is stabilized before it's washed, it's treated for whatever other issues there are," Fox said. "And then it's washed, and now there is a much higher success rate."

Still, it's expensive to save wildlife, often taking thousands of dollars per animal. But Fox said it's worth it.

"People will say 'Why do we do it? Why bother?'" she said. "Because we're all responsible. We all use oil."

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