Oiled Wildlife

• Overview
• Impacts to Seabirds
• Impacts to Marine Mammals
• Rescue and Treatment
• Response History
• Why Rehabilitate?
• Natural Resource Damage Assessment
• Report an Oiled Animal

Response History

Oil spills are a constant threat to California’s marine ecosystem. Since 1994, the OWCN has stood ready to rescue and rehabilitate wildlife injured by oil pollution events. What began as an outcry from the public over the impact of the Exxon Valdez oil spill has grown into an internationally recognized cooperative of scientists, rehabilitators, and public volunteers.

The OWCN and its partners have continued to develope new technology and methods to capture and care for oiled wildlife. These innovations are tested and refined during both large and small spills so that with each disaster the OWCN uses cutting edge techniques to capture and rehabilitate oiled animals.

Not all spills in California affect wildlife, and not every spill requires a wildlife response. For example, in 2007, 8000 spills were reported, and the OWCN responded to seven. Below is a history of the OWCN responses in California. Scroll down for a history of the spill responses in which the OWCN has provided assistance outside of California.