Snow may be falling but efforts are still underway to help animals caught up in the Kalamazoo River oil spill last July. Among those helping is Chris Tabaka, the staff veterinarian atBinder Park Zoo in Battle Creek. He specializes in reptiles, including turtles. Thousands of turtles were covered in oil when the pipeline ruptured near Marshall. Tabaka says the disaster may have lasting and unforeseen effects on wildlife for years to come.
Tabaka says it isn’t known what effects oil remaining in the sediment along the river will have on turtles hibernating underground. And he says there could be lingering effects on their ability to reproduce.
About 2,500 reptiles, mostly turtles, were rescued after the spill. Tabaka says about 275 turtles are still receiving care at the wildlife rescue center in Marshall. He hopes they can be released in the spring. Many animals rescued during the disaster were given radio frequency ID (RFID) chips so researchers can track how well they do after they are released.
Tabaka will give a public presentation about the Kalamazoo River oil spill wildlife rescue program Wednesday, December 8. The event co-sponsored by the Battle Creek Brigham Audubon Society starts at 7 p.m. in the Zoo’s Administration Building.