Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife wildlife biologist Andy Tirpak collecting a Royal Tern on the east beach in Galveston. Photo by Chase A. Fountain, © Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
In recent days, we’ve received many inquiries from International Bird Rescue supporters on the oil spill in the Port of Houston near Galveston, Texas. Our colleagues in Texas are currently caring for oiled wildlife from this spill event, which we know has affected several species of birds. International Bird Rescue’s response team has not been activated on this spill at this time, though we are ready to lend our support in efforts if needed.
Let us know if you have any questions about oiled wildlife response. We have over 40 years of experience and knowledge in this field and will respond to questions posed in this post (see comment box below). We’ve worked in the Gulf many times, and co-managed oiled wildlife efforts in four states during the 2010 Gulf Oil Spill.
Here’s the latest report we’ve seen on affected animals via the Houston Chronicle.
If you are in the affected area and see any oiled animals, please call 1-888-384-2000 to report your sighting. Thank you.
Question: i live in bay city, not far from galveston. they say there are just a few birds collected, yet whenever i go to the beach in that area you see literally THOUSANDS. Are they not doing a good job of collecting birds? It’s hard for me to believe that only a dozen or so birds have actually been oiled.
@Jenna: We are not currently involved in this spill — the command in charge is using a contract company to collect animals, along with local wildlife responders and the local Audubon. If you see any oiled animals, please call 1-888-384-2000 to report the sighting. Thank you.