From the Inbox: Eyewitness Account of Wildlife in Need

Dear Friend, As National Wildlife Federation’s senior scientist, I’m here on the ground in coastal Louisiana, witnessing firsthand what amounts to a slow-moving train wreck for wildlife. Wetlands suffocating under thick coats of oil … dead oil-soaked birds silent on the beach … an oil slick nearly 100 miles long. I can’t believe what I’m seeing — how can this devastation be real? We need your help to combat this continuing wildlife emergency! Already more than 150 threatened or endangered sea turtles are dead. And 316 sea birds, mostly brown pelicans and northern gannets, have been found dead along the Gulf Coast. It’s such a tragedy! Today I visited a small mangrove island, full of brown pelicans and American egrets incubating their eggs. There was an oil band circling the island that looked like a bathtub ring, despite the booms put out to try to keep the oil away. Only time will tell how this nesting colony will endure the onslaught of oil. And incredibly, the oil continues to flow virtually unabated, over a month later. Toxic oil is on shore, polluting sensitive habitats. Untold thousands of barrels of oil a day are still gushing into the water and oozing further onto important nesting islands and into the coastal wetlands. When will this nightmare end? Sadly, when the train wreck finally comes to a stop, it will only be the beginning of the uphill battle facing the region’s wildlife. The effects of this crisis will be felt and dealt with for years, if not decades to come. That’s why I hope you’ll donate today, to help save the treasured species fighting against the thick coat of oil that’s threatening their survival. Thanks for your support. Sincerely, Doug Inkley Senior Scientist National Wildlife Federation Help NWF’s on-the-ground work saving wildlife Support NWF's Gulf Oil Spill Restoration Fund Your donation will go directly to support our immediate and long term work to save animals and their habitat impacted by the BP Oil Spill. Volunteer Forward to a Friend Follow the news: