BP oil leak affecting wildlife for miles

Capped, not capped, capped. The news is staggeringly confusing and overwhelming. Apparently, as of this writing, there is likely a leak but scientists are still conducting tests. Those who were celebrating the capping of the months-long oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico did not include the area's wildlife.

For those who live in the region, such as wildlife photographer Lori Harshbarger, life will hardly return to normal any time soon. And of course, Harshbarger, who lives just over the border in Mississippi, echoes the sentiment of her community.

She told the Examiner that she's glad to hear that BP has capped the oil leak, but she has concerns.

"I live on Bayou De Lisle, and am so afraid the oil is going to get in my own back yard. I fear for the wildlife around my house. I have alligators in my backyard and I would hate for them to be extinct in this area. They were once on the endangered list here in Mississippi but have since been taken off. I live on the water so that I can enjoy the wildlife and hope the oil does not affect the wildlife in the bayou," Harshbarger says.

Alligators, herons, brown pelicans, turtles, seahorses, blowfish ... The list goes on and on and on. Whether BP has permanently capped the leak remains to be seen, but meanwhile animals are dying and suffering. Others have lost a parent and are disoriented.

Harshbarger says, "I drive to work along the beach on Highway 90 and usually see some herons feeding in the morning. I have not seen any at all lately. I hope they have found a better place to feed in the bayous in estuaries."
 

So after you've adopted a fisherman, why not adopt a small critter as well? Support the wildlife charity of your choice and/or volunteer. Click here for more information: www.saveourgulf.com.

You can volunteer with the National Wildlife Federation or make a donation. For general information about the organization's efforts on the front line of the oil spill crisis and/or to donate, visit: http://www.nwf.org/. If you live along the Gulf and would like to be part of a surveillance team, visit: http://www.nwf.org/Oil-Spill/Surveillance-Network.aspx.