Exxon Valdez Oil Spill

On March 24th, 1989 the Exxon Valdez oil spill devastated a pristine ecosystem in Alaska. Thousands of wild animals perished – at least 20 orcas died.

Half of the spilled oil stranded and was buried on the beaches of Prince William Sound, according to scientists with the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. 2007 studies show that predators such as harlequin ducks and sea otters forage on oil-contaminated shellfish. The herring population has seriously declined. Many ecosystem links are broken.

At the time of this tragedy aquariums found a source of sea otters and lucrative grants. The Vancouver Aquarium immediately stated that otters should be brought to them. Lifeforce counteracted by saying that the transport would kill the sick otters and they should help with onsite rescue, rehab and release. So the Aquarium folks did go to Alaska but managed to bring back 8 sea otters (at that time 2 died and 2 were sent to another aquarium).

Vancouver Aquarium got a grant from Exxon to study the long term impacts. The study included repeated blood tests. Ongoing exposure can only be studied by monitoring the health of wildlife population unless the captive studies included forced oil ingestion – not humane! One otter survived for 20 years in a test tube. Does this help Exxon plea in public court that wildlife can survive?

The following is the link to “Sea Otters NOT Captive Otters” depicting the history of otters at the Vancouver Aquarium. It also includes reasons why the proposed $120 million expansion must be stopped. More pools mean more dolphins, sea otters, river otters, beaver and other captives.

For Freedom,

Peter Hamilton
Lifeforce
lifeforcesociety@hotmail.com
www.lifeforcefoundation.org