San Francisco Oil Spill
Shannon has been working pretty much non stop since a huge container ship crashed into the Golden Gate Bridge and spilled 58,000 gallons of oil into the Bay. The impact on the local wildlife is tragic. If the birds are caught and cared for early enough the chance for survival is good (75%) but for the birds who aren't caught/helped mortality rates are high.
CBS News Video (Shannon interviewed half-way though the story)
NBC News Video (First 20 seconds shows Shannon at work)
International Bird Rescue and Relief Web Site (Where Shannon works)
Photos below were all pulled off the internet .. except the last 4 shots, those were taken at home when Shannon was talking to me through my HDTV .. now THAT ruled.
recent branches
What a shame. I'm ready to see consumers pay over $5/gallon for gas, as long as the money is set aside for double-hull tankers, alt-fuel research, and conservation efforts. Good luck with your work, Shannon.
Wow. Those are some amazing photos. I heard about the spill but I never really heard much regarding clean up or how many animals/wildlife were affected.
It looks as if people living around the area care and are doing what they can to help with clean up efforts. I would think and hope that residents of the bay area may be some of the most environmentally aware and considerate so hopefully this is the case.
Shannon I'm sure your busy-busy trying to help what animals you and your work can. It looks as if the washing process can take quite awhile. How many birds do you think you guys can clean up in one day? I know it's a mess but the area is lucky to have you there to help with efforts. It was cool seeing you on T.V. I tried to catch you on Good Morning America but I just missed it. Hopefully we'll be able to see it online at some point.
I heard that they were going to charge the operators of the liner with criminal negligence. Good thing it didn't mess the bay bridge up any more than it already is. With all of California's problems this year this spill was the last thing San Francisco needed.
Adam - thanks for the comment, Shannon is too busy to respond .. plus, she doesn't really know I blog about her (shhhh .. it'll be our secret).
I know as of yesterday the clinic had over 700 birds in care and only 183 birds had been washed. I think they can average maybe 40 birds a day .. so .. they have a long way to go. It will be a couple weeks before any can be re-released.
Yeah .. the responsible operator has to pay all clean-up costs so Shannon is making sure to count every single cotton swab used in the effort. They will also pay for every hour she (and everyone) spends caring for the birds. This type of thing can put a smaller company out of business pretty easily - although I'm sure most companies have insurance to cover oil spills.
Thats a crazy amount of birds affected. Sounds like Shannon will be cleaning round the clock.
This is off topic but I wanted to let Shannon and you know that Guitar Hero 3 just came out and you can buy it for the WII. I know how much fun you had with the one Steven brought up.
I've played 3 and its got some really amazing tracks on it. You should check it out.
Yeah .. shannon leaves for work at 6.15 and doesn't get home till 1am. makes me tired just thinking about it.
Funny you mention the Guitar Hero for Wii .. we totally have it! Shannon saw it in Target a couple weeks back and had to get it - she is THE guitar hero. seriously .. she would demolish you in a rock off!
wow, great photos indeed - and great work shannon. i missed the gma event, but nice pics of the scene bri.
somehow, the subject turned to guitar hero... awesome. :) have you seen the south park episode? best. episode. ever.
GO BIG OIL! I'm sorry, I've been programed to say that to everything.
I missed that one. But Ian and Craig out here were just telling me about it. I'm gonna have to see it it sounded hilarious.