NEW ORLEANS – MORE than 600 animal species are threatened by the expanding oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico, officials say.
Louisiana’s Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the threat affects some 445 species of fish, 134 birds, 45 mammals, and 32 reptiles and amphibians.
Among the birds, the biggests fears centre on the brown pelican. State biologists Robert Lover said the graceful state bird of Louisiana lays eggs on the coastal islands and may be ingesting fish contaminated with oil. Similar threats may face the piping plover, royal tern and sandpiper.
For amphibians and reptiles, Kemp’s Ridley, a severely endangered sea turtle, is seen as threatened because its migration for the nesting season, which has begun, is cut off by the oil slick. Alligators, frogs and sea snakes face threats as well.
Sea mammals in peril include the bottlenose dolphin, manatee and various whales. But land mammals including coyotes, raccoons and foxes could also see their habitat polluted.
Many species of fish and crustaceans also face obvious threats in a region that has a huge fishing industry. They include the bluefin tuna, red snapper, tarpon and cobia along with crabs, shrimp and oysters.