While the spill in the Gulf has been capped – the damage is ongoing. Gulf Coast reptiles, amphibians and their environment will be reeling from the damage for decades to come. The long term impact on these animals and their habitat is not fully known; but the information we do have is cause for grave concern.
This disaster hit at the worst possible time: the height of the egg laying and birthing season. Toxicity levels from the spill will have a negative impact on the survival of the offspring and could cause infertility of both current and future generations of animals.
As of September 30th, nine thousand four hundred sixteen animals have been reported as recovered from the oil disaster. Sadly nearly 75% have died as a direct result of the spill. Of the remaining animals, 1,555 have been treated and released and over 1,050 animals remain in various stages of treatment and rehab.
Sea Turtles are one of 100's of the critically endangered species inhabiting the Gulf Coast Region. Early data indicates Sea Turtle hatch rates have suffered significantly. Normally hatch rates run in the mid eighty percentile range - we are seeing decreased hatch rates by at least thirty percent.
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