OXNARD : Unocal Oil Spill Killed Only 2 Birds
Only two oil-soaked birds have died since Unocal spilled 10 to 50 barrels of crude off the coast of Oxnard last Friday, a county animal shelter spokeswoman said Thursday.
Six oil-fouled birds had been picked up by the Animal Regulation Department, Director Kathy Jenks said.
Because few birds have been found, Unocal arranged to fly them to the International Bird Rescue Center in Berkeley, where they have been cleaned.
Two common loons, one sea gull and one Pacific loon were found Sunday near Point Mugu Naval Air Station. The Pacific loon died Wednesday at the center, said Don Chisum, a Unocal spokesman.
A common loon died Tuesday at the animal shelter in Camarillo before it could be transported to Berkeley. The sixth bird, a common loon that was found off the Ventura Keys Wednesday, has been transported to Berkeley.
From 420 to 2,100 gallons of oil spilled last Friday when a work boat broke a 10-inch pipeline with a grappling hook.
Cleanup of the spill was suspended on Sunday.
Residents who find oily birds are urged not to try to clean them but to contact the animal shelter.
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