BP (NYSE:BP) Oil Spill Cleanup, Wildlife Effects Worsen

It's a sad scene as BP (NYSE:BP) continues their attempt on the oil spill cleanup, wildlife habitats continue to be destroyed and they are moving to shallow waters. Off of the Alabama pier there is a vast and massive variety of animals showing up on shore such as sting rays, crabs, mullets, and small fish trying to find refuge from the oil polluted waters. Off the coast of Florida sharks and dolphins are making their appearance in shallow waters.

This might seem positive but it is not. For these animals to leave their natural habitats and be showing up in extremely shallow waters is an indication that they are fleeing from the oil that has most likely destroyed their homes. Not to mention the fact that with such a dense amount of animals in such small areas, oxygen will run out causing mass die-offs. They are also easy targets for prey.

Larry Crowder, a Duke University marine biologist said, "A parallel would be: Why are the wildlife running to the edge of a forest fire ? There will be a lot of fish, sharks, and turtles trying to get out of this water they detect is unsuitable."

Scientist are daily going out to inspect and collect the hurt and dead animals. They say the numbers are relatively small considering the massive amount of oil that has been deposited into the ocean. Although they fear most fatalities will never fully be accounted for because most animals that can't make it to the shallow waters will die and end up on the bottom of the ocean. The most recent figures of fatalities are: birds 783, turtles 353, and 41 mammals.