How Oil Spills Hurt Animals

by Luis Portocarrero, age 11

Oil spills can harm many animals.
Some animals hurt by the Gulf oil spill include birds. They dive into the water, getting oil stuck to their feathers. When they try to clean it off using their beaks, they can get oil in their lungs. The oil can also damage their eyes. Many people are capturing affected birds to clean and heal them, but, sadly, many die.
Some ocean animals, like sea turtles and dolphins, must swim above the water to breathe. When they do this, they can be harmed by chemicals in the oil. Over 200 turtles have already died. Smaller creatures like oysters, lobsters, and shrimp are also in danger.


[Source: www.nwf.org ]

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