EARTHQUAKES AND OIL SPILLS: LESSONS FROM THE SANTA CLARA RIVER SPILL

Abstract

ABSTRACT On January 17, 1994, the Northridge earthquake struck southern California and caused multiple ruptures in a pipeline; the ruptures resulted in a 4607-barrel oil spill into the Santa Clara River. The veterinary mobile response vehicle equipped by the California Department of Fish and Game's Office of Oil Spill Prevention and Response (CDFG-OSPR) was called into use for immediate field stabilization. The International Bird Rescue Research Center of Berkeley, California, was hired to retrieve and provide rehabilitation care for the birds. Thirty-seven birds, mainly Virginia and Sora rails, were retrieved, and 24 birds were released; thus the survival rate was 65%. This spill effort was unique because, for the first time, blood samples were taken at the retrieval site; these samples revealed an early and very crucial “snapshot” of the affected birds. There was a noticeable difference in blood values compared with blood samples taken in wildlife care centers during previous oil spill responses. White blood cell counts were in the low to normal range (average 7800; range of 2700 to 12,700) (n = 20). Birds regained a predominant number of lymphocytes (over heterophils) in a shorter period of time than in other spills (i.e., 14.9 days versus 4 weeks). Methods for reducing stress in oiled birds were improved. Protocols for stabilization, stress reduction, housing, and handling used in this spill may serve to improve avian care and survival rates in subsequent spill response efforts.