BP Gulf oil spill update: Shocking pictures of oil covered pelicans, dying birds and wildlife

Horrific Image of Brown Pelican Soaked in Heavy Oil

Photos and Video: If BP's live feed failed to anger Americans, the latest images of oil-soaked birds gasping for air, dying on beaches near Grand Isle, Louisiana, surely will. A video released by CNN.com today is sickening viewers, and is one of the worst seen of the Gulf of Mexico devastation and tragedy so far.

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BP's New Cap

CNN.com reported today that, "Robotic vehicles maneuvered a cap over BP's ruptured undersea well in the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday in the company's latest attempt to rein in the largest oil spill in U.S. history. BP CEO Tony Hayward announced that the company had crossed a "milestone" earlier in the day by cutting away the remains of the well's damaged riser pipe. That cleared the way for the dome to be lowered down to the well, 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf, but Hayward said the operation would need several more hours to complete." Read more about the operation here at CNN.com.

Oil Spill Moves Toward Pensacola, Florida

Meanwhile, as the oil spill moves towards Pensacola, Florida, oil from the Deepwater Horizon has affected wildlife throughout the Gulf of Mexico. Seabirds, some unrecognizable, were found drenched in oil, gasping their last breath under thick coats of oil. Pelicans shown below, are unable to fly, swim or in some cases, move at all. Hermit crabs and dolphins are also being found washed up on gulf coast beaches.

National Wildlife Federation Reports More Birds and Turtles Turning Up Dead

The National Wildlife Federation reported Wednesday that six to nine times more sea turtles are turning up dead than usual. The Christian Science Monitor reported today that "29 stranded dolphins found since the spill began represent two to six times the normal amount. So far, 444 birds and 222 sea turtles have been found dead in the area, according to a recent tally provided by the US Fish and Wildlife Service."

What is Rhode Island's Role in the Gulf Oil Spill Disaster?

According to the Providence Journal, "The University of Rhode Island's research vessel Endeavor, is heading south as part of the scientific response to the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill." The Senrty, an  underwater vehicle specially designed to look for the suspected underwater plume of oil, is on its way from Rhode Island to the Gulf oil spill location. Read more about URI's research vessel at Projo.com.

For 200 Gulf Oil Spill Photos, See These Articles:
BP Gulf Oil Spill: Signs, Signs, Everywhere There's Signs, Live Oil Feed Videos and Photos
Latest Pictures and Videos: Second Oil Plume Discovered, Oil-covered Pelicans Rescued
BP Gulf Oil Spill: Live Feed Videos, Pictures of Oiled Birds, Dead Dolphins Continue to Shock
BP Gulf Oil Spill Update: Shocking Pictures of Oil-Covered Pelicans, Dying Birds and Wildlife
Latest BP Gulf Oil Spill Pictures: Live Feed Videos of Oil Leak Continue to Shock the World as Saw Gets Stuck
BP Gulf Oil Spill Pictures: Live Feed Shows Top Kill Fails to Plug Oil Leak
BP Gulf Oil Spill Pictures: Top Kill Update, Watch Live Feed of Oil Leak off Louisiana Coast
Pictures: How Big is the Gulf Oil Spill? Google Map Shows BP oil Leak Bigger than Rhode Island
Gulf Oil Spill Pictures: R.I. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse Inspects BP Leak Location
University of Rhode Island Scientist Says East Coast R.I. Beaches Should be Fine

Unbelievable CNN.com Video

Sources: Christian Science Monitor; CNN.com
Photo: A brown pelican is mired in heavy oil on the beach at East Grand Terre Island along the Louisiana coast on Thursday, June 3, 2010. Oil from the Deepwater Horizon has affected wildlife throughout the Gulf of Mexico. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)