New Zealand oil spill threatens environment
- 13 years ago
The environmental impact of an oil spill off the coast of New Zealand is worsening.
20 tonnes of oil have leaked from a cargo ship that hit a reef off the coast earlier in the week threatening marine and wildlife.
Volunteers are combing the beaches looking for affected animals.
Environmentalists say penguins they've cleaned so far were completely covered in oil.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DIRECTOR OF WILDLIFE CENTRE, BRETT GARTRELL SAYING:
"From tip to toe they are covered in black sticky gunk, matting up all their black feathers right down to the skin. They've ingested it and they are starting to get anemic which is part of the toxic affect of the oil."
New Zealand salvage crews have been using dispersants to remove the oil from the water.
Its hoped a barge will reach the stranded ship on Sunday and begin pumping out the remaining oil.
Julie Noce, Reuters
20 tonnes of oil have leaked from a cargo ship that hit a reef off the coast earlier in the week threatening marine and wildlife.
Volunteers are combing the beaches looking for affected animals.
Environmentalists say penguins they've cleaned so far were completely covered in oil.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DIRECTOR OF WILDLIFE CENTRE, BRETT GARTRELL SAYING:
"From tip to toe they are covered in black sticky gunk, matting up all their black feathers right down to the skin. They've ingested it and they are starting to get anemic which is part of the toxic affect of the oil."
New Zealand salvage crews have been using dispersants to remove the oil from the water.
Its hoped a barge will reach the stranded ship on Sunday and begin pumping out the remaining oil.
Julie Noce, Reuters