Impact assessment of the Gulf oil spill on migrant Peregrine Falcons
in North America Projects: Peregrine Fund Partnerships:Status: Active, started in 2010
Goals:
To collect blood samples and evaluate the scope, and potential for impact, of exposure to oil and other chemicals resulting from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Recent Results:
In October 2010, we partnered with Earthspan, to capture migrating Peregrine Falcons at South Padre Island, Texas, to collect blood samples and evaluate the scope, and potential for impact, of exposure to oil and other chemicals resulting from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The results with determine whether further investigations are needed on summer breeding grounds or during other migrations.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), components of the oil spill, are known to cause a variety of adverse impacts including poisoning, reproductive failures, and effects on offspring. The Peregrine Falcon is a top predator and a well-documented environmental sentinel species that appears to be sensitive to the effects of PAHs. Samples from this project will be compared to 40 years of historical data. The results will be disseminated to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, other federal agencies with jurisdiction related to oil management in the Gulf Coast region, and all relevant state agencies along the Gulf Coast.
Project Links:
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| Publications and Data | Other Information |
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| Using Peregrine Falcons to Assess the Impact of the Gulf Oil Spill |
Location Note:
South Padre Island, Texas, USA
Species involved
- Peregrine Falcon — Falco peregrinus
People involved in this project:
Cooperating Partners:
Combined Federal Campaign # 10639
