Oil Spill Preparedness, Response & Restoration

To report an oil spill call: 1-800-258-5990

Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation

Spill Team members are typically delegated the responsibility of directing the Wildlife Branch within the Incident Command System per agreements with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries. The Wildlife Branch mobilizes the resources necessary to address the recovery and rehabilitation of oiled wildlife.

Planning /Preparedness activities:
Outside of oil spills, the Spill Team engages the following wildlife rescue and rehabilitation tasks and activities on an ongoing basis:

• Working with the petroleum industry to establish adequate Oiled Wildlife Rescue capabilities.
• Developing rules, care standards, and protocols for oiled wildlife rehabilitation.
• Developing and managing contracts with wildlife response experts to recruit and train a statewide network of oiled wildlife rescue personnel.

Publications:

Washington Oiled Sea Otter Response Handbook
The Washington Oiled Sea Otter Response Handbook provides guidance on the prefered methods for locating, recovering and rehabilitating sea otters injured by contact with oil during an oil spill in support of the Northwest Area Contingency Plan and the Oiled Wildlife Response Plan.

Oiled Wildlife Rescue Program - 2009 Annual Report
This 2009 Annual Report summarizes the efforts and accomplishments made by the Oiled Wildlife Response Unit within the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) Oil Spill Team. Oiled wildlife rescue and rehabilitation planning and response capabilities in the Northwest were significantly advanced in 2009, especially in the areas of facilities, equipment and training. Although this annual report is authored by WDFW, the successes of 2009 were, and will continue to be, largely dependent on the many individuals in the various federal and state agencies, the petroleum industry, the response community (oil and wildlife), aquaria and wildlife rehabilitation groups who work together in a cooperative manner to achieve mutual goals.

Please contact us for more information.

Related Links US Fish & Wildlife Oiled Wildlife Care Network Region 10 Regional Response Team Progressive Animal Welfare Focus Wildlife Tri-State Bird Rescue Islands' Oil Spill Association NOAA Fisheries International Bird Rescue Research Center