Filling the Ark: Animal Welfare in Disasters

74 / Chapter 3

that has been captured and stabilized within a few hours of

being contaminated has a greater chance of survival, and

will undergo less suffering than a lightly oiled one left in

the wild for days.^41

Before cleaning, rescuers fi rst make certain the birds are stable
enough to go through the procedure. Stabilization can take as long
as forty-eight hours, during which the birds receive fl uids and are
kept warm and quiet. Rescuers fl ush oil from the birds’ eyes and
gastrointestinal tract. Medication such as activated charcoal can
prevent additional oil from being absorbed in the digestive system.
Once the birds are stable, the cleaning can begin. It took trial-and-
error to fi nd just the right product for the job. Berkner describes the
process: “We actively investigated the use of solvent to clean oiled
birds but were very concerned with the toxicity factors involved
with its use. It was during our four years at the Humane Society site
that we read of detergent cleaning techniques developed in Eng-
land.” Berkner and others tested dozens of products on oil-coated
feathers and found that Dawn detergent cleaned the birds without
introducing additional toxins. Dawn has proven to be the most effec-
tive substance in removing oil from plumage without harming the
skin of the birds or animals, the people treating them, or the envi-
ronment.^42 Today, stabilized birds undergo thorough baths in a 1
percent solution of Dawn. The process, according to IBRRC,

requires two people; one keeps the bird submerged in the

tub and controls the bird’s head. The other person agitates

the soapy water through the bird’s feathers and cleans its

head and neck using tooth brushes, q-tips and Waterpiks®.

The bird is moved to new tubs of soapy water until the

water in the tub is clear and no oil remains. This process

can take from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the size

of bird or amount of oil that has to be removed.^43

Not only must birds be free of oil and other contaminants,
they also must have no traces of detergent on their skin or plum-