Reply to "Man Made Oil Disaster"

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US.../UPI-65481274960148/



Right now, scientists say they're seeing the worst effects of the spill in one area of the Louisiana coast, but expressed concern about what they're not seeing and worry that the ecological impact will only worsen.

"Now that the stuff is really sort of coming ashore, it really is living up to its potential. It's certainly breached the sort of outer defense system of Louisiana," James Cowan Jr., a professor at Louisiana State University, told the Post. "It's the very worst-case scenario for things like birds and mammals."

So far, wildlife officials counted 440 birds affected by the spill -- 393 of which are dead and the rest captured alive. Dozens of turtles and dolphins have been found dead and scientists are testing to determine how many died from oil exposure, the Post reported. Oil-slicked jellyfish lay dead or dying on the shore.

Scientists said what they've found so far is a fraction of the number of animals affected.