Devastating Oil Spill Threatens Rare Dolphins and Bengal Tigers

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.takepart.com/article/2014/12/12/rare-dolphins-oil-spill-sundarbans-mangrove-bangladesh?cmpid=tpdaily-eml-2014-12-12




Oil coated the Shela River near Mongla, Bangladesh on December 12, 2014. Thousands of gallons of oil have spilled into the protected Sundarbans mangrove area, home to rare Irrawaddy and Ganges dolphins, since a tanker collided with another vessel there on December 9. (Photo: Getty Images)

December 12, 2014 By Emily Gertz

Emily Gertz is TakePart's associate editor for environment and wildlife.


Villagers in the coastal Sundarbans mangroves of Bangladesh are using spoons, sponges, and shovels to try to mop up a major oil spill in an area that is home to two rare dolphin species, Bengal tigers, and a diverse array of birds and fish.

The spill began Tuesday, when a tanker carrying about 77,000 gallons of fuel oil collided with a cargo ship. By Friday, according to reports, the oil had spread across 50 miles of rivers and canals.

After visiting the spill on Wednesday, Bangladesh forest chief Yunus Ali told The Daily Star, a Dhaka-based news outlet, that he could not spot any fish or dolphins in the area.

“The dolphin sanctuary will probably be the worst hit,” he said. “But we have to carry out an inspection on the extent of the damage. Small birds that feed on insects and fish, too, will be affected.”

FULL story at link.

[Voice for Peace]

1. I want to oilboard the kochs and their ilk.