Wildlife May Not Be Getting Needed Assistance

Today I was told by an associate about an oiled bird on the sand in Gulf Shores Alabama. When they followed the directions to call the wildlife number on the website, they were told there was no one to assist them. They called the game warden and were told the same thing. They called the police and were not given assistance. They decided the bird needed saving, and proceeded to take it back to their home and wash with Dawn soap and returned it to the beach.

Everyone has been told not to interfere with wildlife and to contact those experts who know what to do. Residents are increasingly more upset by the disconnect between the directions from BP and what they feel they morally have to do. The authorities need to be more sensitive to the words, ideas, and concern of the local residents--many times the locals are much more knowledgable about their own environment than the "college educated" professionals who don't have a vested interest in the community.