Help our Wildlife!!!

As many of you have seen I'm sure, there was an oil rig explosion on April 20th in the Gulf of Mexico off of Louisiana. Despite efforts to put the fires out, the rig sank and started an environmental disaster. Oil is continuously leaking into the Gulf and heading toward the shores of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and now Florida. Researchers fear the Gulf Stream will direct this oil slick around the tip of Florida and impact the eastern seaboard as well. This oil spill is being considered the worst oil spill in US history, surpassing the oil spill off of Alaska years before. Unfortunately, the oil is still leaking and will not likely be stopped for quite a few days, causing more oil to leak into the Gulf. A very frustrating and horrible tragedy that could have been prevented had proper safety precautions been taken. Here are a few pictures from the disaster.

Satellite images of the oil slick.

Pictures of the oil slick

Attempts to "skim" the oil away from land have been unsuccessful. Other attempts of dropping chemicals into the slick to turn it into more manageable droplets have been unsuccessful as well.

Local fisherman and wildlife organizations have tried to keep the oil slick from reaching land with "booms" but they are washing ashore.

The wildlife in these areas are very vulnerable to this oil slick and are in great danger. Local agencies are already treating animals affected by the oil spill. This bird is normally white.

A dolphin seen off the coast of Louisiana.

While we can't stop the oil from coming, nor can we stop it from hitting land, we can send help. The National Wildlife Foundation is taking donations and volunteers to help with this horrible tragedy. We need to help protect our wildlife and care for them after injuries and sickness from this event. If you know of any other organizations that are able to take supplies or donations, please let me know and I'll post them to get the word out.

Save Our Seabirds, Inc. is another organization to look at. They are taking supplies and donations.