This Oiled Wildlife Training video series provides detailed awareness of the activities (US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) or other Department of Interior (DOI) responders might take in response to an oil spill. Performing hands on activities with oiled wildlife should only be performed by trained professionals directly tasked under an official oil spill response organization.
These videos were developed and produced by National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) in partnership with the DOI Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance (OEPC). NCTC and OEPC would like to thank the many partners who contributed to this training series, including experts from: US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Geological Survey, Focus Wildlife, Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research, Oiled Wildlife Care Network, International Bird Rescue, National Aquarium Baltimore, and the Smithsonian National Zoo.
Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN)
Animal Release (00:03:20) Curt Clumpner describes the process and the release criteria of wildlife after rehabilitation.
Animal Standards (00:04:27) Michael Ziccardi discusses best practices and standards for care of oiled wildlife.
Effects of Oil on Wildlife (00:08:32) Michael Ziccardi teaches the viewer about the complex range of health conditions that occur when wildlife becomes oiled.
Euthanasia (00:02:10) Curt Clumpner of OWCN defines and describes the process, and how it can be used during an oil spill.
Information Collection (00:15:12) OWCN staff have a group discussion of appropriate information collection at the command, field and facility levels during a spill response.
Necropsy (00:04:04) Veterinarian Greg Frankfurter discusses necropsy and the reasons for performing a necropsy during a spill response.
Oiled Wildlife Response Facility Tour (00:07:45) Michael Ziccardi gives a virtual tour of the San Francisco bay oiled wildlife care and education center.
Spill Response Equipment (00:14:27) Kyra Mills gives viewers an overview of OWCN's fleet of oil spill response equipment.
Zoonoses (00:02:46) Veterinarian Greg Frankfurter discusses zoonotic diseases, pathways of transmission and precautions workers should implement during a spill response.
Focus Wildlife
Field Data Collection (00:07:48) Charlie Hebert teaches viewers how to efficiently and effectively collect wildlife data when responding to an inland oil spill.
Mobile Tankless Water Heater (00:03:43) An in depth look at specialty equipment used in the care of oiled wildlife.
Packaging Deceased Oiled Birds (00:12:34) Oiled birds are packaged to avoid oil contamination and following law enforcement protocols.
Propane Cannon (00:04:59) Charlie Hebert demonstrates how to operate a propane canon and discusses the strategy for setting them in the field for maximum effectiveness.
Roles and Responsibilities - Part 1 (00:10:20) Charlie Hebert discusses the incident command system roles during a oil spill response.
Roles Responsibilities - Part 2 (00:14:03) Charlie Hebert imparts wisdom on the complexities of responding during a spill and what a successful effort entails.
Search and Capture Carriers - Part 3 (00:15:23) Charlie Hebert demonstrates containers of different sizes to transport wildlife as well as basic equipment needed to transport dead oiled wildlife.
Search and Capture: Carriers (Part 1) (00: 09:45) Charlie Hebert demonstrates techniques to carry wildlife using readily available supplies and carriers.
Search and Capture: Carriers (Part 2) (00: 09:19) Charlie Hebert continues his discussion of techniques and equipment to transport oiled wildlife.
Search and Capture: Safety and Equipment (00:10:13) A broad cross section of field gear is discussed emphasizing personal protective equipment and properly sized nets for wildlife capture.
Wildlife Deterrence (00:15:40) Charlie Hebert discusses methods for deterring wildlife from becoming oiled.
Wildlife Impact Assessment (00:07:11) Biologists are taught how oiled wildlife react and techniques to assess impact.
Wildlife Observation and Capture (00:08:49) Discussions on techniques and equipment used to observe and capture wildlife during a spill response.
Wildlife Search and Capture (00:07:15) Charlie Hebert shares his knowledge of the behavior of oiled wildlife, and capture techniques.
Wildlife Stabilization Trailer (00:14:47) Chris Battaglia tours viewers through his wildlife response trailer, and discusses stabilization techniques and processes.
Handling Wildlife Safely
Handling Birds (00:12:11) Smithsonian Zoo animal keeper Heather Anderson demonstrates safe capture and handling techniques for several species of birds.
Handling Reptiles and Amphibians (00:19:45) Smithsonian Zoo assistant curator Matthew Evans demonstrates safe handling techniques for reptiles and amphibians.
Handling Small Mammals (00:12:20) Smithsonian Zoo curator Steve Sarro demonstrates equipment and techniques for handling small mammals safely.
