Oil Spill Photo Gallery: Louisiana Biologists Rescue an Oiled Pelican

Gretna, LA
9:13am

Yesterday we rode along with the Lousiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in their search for oiled birds. They discovered and rescued a Brown Pelican on a small, unnamed island in the Barataria Bay.

On our way to the islands, we rode through a rain storm that produced a water spout, then a rainbow. The biologists wondered if it might signal hope. Photo by Kim Hubbard/Audubon Magazine

The biologists discovered an oiled pelican on the island. Photo by Kim Hubbard/Audubon Magazine

The pelican was also tangled in fishing line and had to be cut free. Photo by Kim Hubbard/Audubon Magazine

The pelican is cut free of the fishing line. Photo by Kim Hubbard/Audubon Magazine

Biologists Jeff Taverner and Keith Cascio return to the Fisheries boat with the rescued pelican. Photo by Kim Hubbard/Audubon Magazine

The pelican was placed in a box and transported to the oiled wildlife rehabilitation center in Fort Jackson, LA. Photo by Kim Hubbard/Audubon Magazine

Before heading to the rehabilitation center, the biologists scanned the shore again for additional oiled birds. Photo by Kim Hubbard/Audubon Magazine

Pelicans could remain at the breeding colony through August. Photo by Kim Hubbard/Audubon Magazine

The hard boom around the pelican island. Photo by Kim Hubbard/Audubon Magazine